Posted 13 years ago
RoyaL-T
(1 item)
I received this as a gift a while back and do not know what it is or where it came from?? It is bronze, I do believe and it has 6 peacocks on it. One on top with a screw and 5 little ones on top of each compartment which open. The legs are elephants. It is a very cool looking antique piece but I do not know what it is exactly or if it may be worth something?? Any information would be much appreciated.
Interesting item, and I have a hunch on what it is.
I think it is a cooking device, probably from India or the Middle East. It would be set in the coals of a fire , some type of batter would be placed in the cups, and after a few minutes the cook would open and remove the "bread". The covers would serve the dual purpose of retaining heat and protecting the food from fire ash.
The "patina" on the top were the bird handle is placed, it looks exactly like a build up of burnt cooking oil.
I tried googling Indian cooking utensils and was unable to find anything.
Anyway, maybe a trip to a local Indian restaurant, or some emails to an Indian food blog might confirm.
My two cents worth this morning, LOL!
I googled bronze india spice and I found this for you...
http://www.antiquarianquist.com/collection/islamicart/
Wow!!! great gift!! I wouldn't clean it until I had it professionally appraised, just in case. Sometimes patina adds to the value.
Nice! Solved that!
Wow ! thank you Esther, any idea on cost of appraising or what type of appraiser to go to??
Sorry, Royal T, but since I live in Spain, any info like that would be of no use to you.
Maybe someone else can help you?
I would probably visit a few local antiques shops, asking about professional appraisers, and see who is the most reliable in their opinion. If they offer their own services, make sure they are qualified and certified before giving them your money. Just because they own an antique shop doesn't mean they know their stuff.
Your home insurance company might be able to have it appraised for you, if you want to include it in your homeowner's policy. If you aren't a homeowner, ask them to give you their appaiser's contact info.
In any case, with an item like this, and if you can afford it, I would have it appraised by two different professionals. Just to get a real value. And in writing.
Well I went down to an antique auction house to get an idea of what it was worth and the lady told me it is a replica???! I was soooo bummed. She said it was not from the seventeenth century and I might be able to get a couple hundred maybe. I was looking forward to retiring lol or at least paying off my car. Oh well. Do you think I should try another place or give it up and just enjoy it as a decorative item??? how could someone replicate something like that ????
Always get a second opinion.
In the worst case, a gift worth a couple hundred ain't so bad either! :)
This is obviously a modern reproduction of a spice box. Older ones have a much finer finish, very fine tolerances and totally different construction. You can buy them with all sorts of "patina".
Some Indian restaurants still use them to hold spices but people tend to steal them.
The elephant represent intelligence and strength, not mere size. The peacock represents beauty without pride that completes a beautiful structure, not vanity as in the west.
Some Americans use them to hold drugs for different people.
I just purchased this from Goodwill ($1.99)....it is a makeup holder and meant to be mine. Still doing research but it appears to be original and repros were manufactured. Verifying research that the item with a star or sun represents something as being original; still trying to verify. This has nothing to do with cooking or herbs, etc... Please let me know if you know more info...simply love my purchase!!!
Just increased knowledge (maybe)...should have nothing to do with cooking. The process of opening the container nor the amount for seasoning is realistic for creating a dish. Plus the bronze may alter the taste of spices. The container is more in the lines of a ceremonial application of makeup or adornment/ceremonial... getting closer... hopefully. Please educate