Indian Colonial Silver & Indian Subcontinent Trade Info

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An unmarked pen-tray, likely of Indian origin:

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J. HIGGINBOTHAM

Mount Road, Madras


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J. Higginbotham - Madras - 1862

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TOPUNSING MOTOOMULL & Co.

Australia Buildings, and 5, Grand Oriental Hotel and Verandah, and, 5 & 6, New Victoria Arcade, and, 82 & 83, Main Street, Pettah, Colombo, and, Queen's Hotel, Shop No.1, and, 3, Trincomalee Street, Kandy.


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Topunsing Motoomull & Co. - Colombo - 1903

Established in 1864.

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REPORTS FROM THE CONSULS OF THE UNITED STATES IN ANSWER TO INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE


At the request of a Massachusetts firm, a Department instruction was sent, under date of January 16, 1902, to the consular officers of the United States, directing them to report in regard to the trade in foreign countries in silverware and plated ware, and especially as to the possible market for articles of American manufacture. Special information was asked as to the consumption of such goods in the respective consular districts; the extent of local manufacture; the importation from foreign countries as well as from the United States; the tariff on silver and plated goods; the obstacles to the extension of American trade in this line, if any existed; the proper methods of packing, etc.

The answers follow:

BRITISH INDIA

IMPORTS

Considerable quantity of plated ware is imported into this country from the United Kingdom and from other countries of Europe, and as no statistics are available it is hard to form an idea of the extent of the trade. There are several large firms here who deal in plated ware and silverware.

INDIAN MANUFACTURES

India is famous for the manufactures of silverware, and they are extensively used by the native princes and noblemen, and as these are manufactured by individual artisans from time to time and at different places, no reliable statistics of the quantity manufactured can be obtained.

The import duty on silver and plated ware is 5 per cent ad valorem.

S. COMFORT, Vice-Consul-General
CALCUTTA, March 13, 1902


BOMBAY

IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

During the year 1900-1901 there was imported at Bombay from all countries silverware and silver plate to the value of $77,231, and during the same period the exports amounted to $32,248.

The countries from which these wares were imported were:

United Kingdom - $56, 827
Austria-Hungary - 721
Italy - 18
Russia - 2
British East Africa - 14
United States - 59
Aden - 435
China:
Hongkong - 13, 606
Treaty ports - 5, 153
Japan - 247
Persia - 40
South Australia - 109

Total - 77, 231

The exports of silver and plated ware and the countries to which exported were as follows:

United Kingdom - $6, 639
France - 1, 625
Malta - 13
Spain, Gibraltar - 162
British East Africa - 14,537
Abyssinia - 32
Portuguese East Africa - 2, 219
Mauritius - 355
Egypt - 2,911
United States - 278
Aden - 318
Arabia - 16
China, Hongkong - 1,532
Philippines - 357
Straits Settlements - 1,056
New South Wales - 249
Victoria - 49

Total - 32, 248


TARIFF

The Indian tariff on silverware and silver-plated goods is not heavy. Silverware or silver-plated ware other than European is valued, if plain, at 1 rupee per tola (32½ cents per 180 grains), and if embossed or chased its value is placed at 1.4 rupees per tola (40½ cents per 180 grains), and the duty is taxed at 5 per cent on this value. All other sorts of silverware and silver-plated ware are dutiable at 5 per cent ad valorem.


INDIAN SILVERWARE

Bombay is one of the great centers for native Indian silverware, and for which India has been from time immemorial especially famous Every state, both British and native, and in fact every city or considerable village has its particular brand of workmanship in silver. It is all worked by hand-hammered; the designs are quite artistic and frequently illustrative of village life and hunting scenes, though Hindoo mythology is largely drawn upon to furnish the main designs worked in native silverware. Some of this work is highly artistic, showing an inherited cunning of the caste of Hindoo workmen who have handed down the secrets and art of their craft from father to son for generations. The work is not only prized by the natives, but also by Europeans and Americans visiting India.

The silverware is usually made of coin pure silver; the native desires it as free from alloy as possible. It is very common all over India and is to be found in every shop and bazaar. In fact much of the native wealth of the people is to be found in the silverware of the household and in the personal silver ornaments of the members of the family.

The unit of weight by which the ware is sold is the tola (180 grains), equaling the weight of a silver rupee. The retail prices run from 35 cents to 50 cents per tola, varying according to workmanship and quality of silver.


OUTLOOK FOR AMERICAN WARE

There is no obstacle in the way of the extension of American trade in this line other than that which naturally surrounds the extension of our trade in any other line. The distance between India and the United States is great, and transshipment generally takes place in England.

There is a growing demand for silver plate and silver tableware of modern and Western design. It is more serviceable and less expensive. It will in time, no doubt, take the place in daily life, to a practical extent, of the native plate or silverware. There is no reason Why the American manufacturer and exporter should not Obtain a fair share of this trade.


PACKING

American goods in foreign ships do not always receive the most gentle treatment, and hence I would advise our exporters to be exceedingly careful and thorough in packing. The articles should first of all be well wrapped in paper, then wound about with a straw rope, or packed well in excelsior packing in tin-lined, strong wooden boxes bound With hoop iron. Too much care can not be taken in packing goods for our foreign trade.


DEALERS

I give herewith the names and addresses of a number of jewelers, goldsmiths, and silversmiths in Bombay, both native and European: Army and Navy Cooperative Society, Esplanade road; Bhicajee & Co., Apollo Bunder; Heerjimul & Co., Esplanade road; Lund & Blockley, Esplanade road; Marcks & Co., Esplanade road; Tarachund Pursram, Meadows street; Kanjimul Bhugwandas & Co., Esplanade road.

WM. THOS. FEE, Consul
BOMBAY, March 20, 1902


Source: Special Consular Reports - Silver and Plated Ware in Foreign Countries - Bureau of Foreign Commerce, Department of State - 1902

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RAMGOPAL DHAR

123, Sankari Bazaar, Dacca


Calcutta Exhibition - 1923

Mr. Ramgopal Dhar, of 123, Sankari Bazaar, Dacca, exhibits his well known conch shells of Dacca together with mother-of-pearl articles set with gold and rubies in stall No. 234.

Source: Calcutta Exhibition - 1923

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N. GUPTA & SONS

5, Gupta Lane, Beadon Square, Calcutta


Calcutta Exhibition - 1923

N. Gupta & Sons, of 5, Gupta Lane, Beadon Square, Calcutta, have taken stall No. 446 to show watch chains, buttons, studs and other articles of jewellery.

Source: Calcutta Exhibition - 1923

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MEHARRY & SONS

9, Gujrati Mohalla, Allahabad


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Mehary & Sons - Allahabad - 1941

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V.M. RENGASAMI

Tinnevelly Junction and Central Station Road, Trivandrum


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V.M. Rengasami - Tinnevelly Junction - 1939

Established in 1920.

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GIRDHARD DAS, HARI DAS

Benares


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459. GIRDHARD DAS, HARI DAS

Postal Address
Indirizzo Postale: Benares, India

General Notice.—This firm are jewellers and brocade merchants in Benares and make a speciality of handwoven silks and gold and silver brocades. Their exhibit comprises gold and silver money bags and table mats, temple woven designs in gold and silver brocade, table covers, cushions and table centres in special designs, Indian dresses woven in one piece, fine silk brocade for dress, sample book of ladies' dress.

Informazioni Generali. —La Ditta, Negozianti di oreficerie e mercanti di broccati a Benares, possiede una specialità di tessuti di seta e broccati d'oro ed argento lavorati a mano. La loro mostra comprende borsellini ricamati in oro ed argento, stuoiette da tavola, broccati d'oro ed argento, riproduzioni
di tessuti sacri, tappeti da tavola, cuscini e centri da tavola in disegni speciali, vestiti Indiani tessuti in un solo pezzo, broccato fino di seta per vestiti, libro di campioni per vestiti da donna.


Source: Milan International Exhibition, 1906 : Catalogue of the British Section - 1906

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MD. DEEVAN SAHIB & SONS

Big Bazaar, Trichinopoly


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Md. Deevan Sahib & Sons - Trichinopoly - 1939

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G.N. CHAKRAPANI CHETTY & Co.

40 & 41, East Avani Moola Street, Madura


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G.N. Chakrapani Chetty & Co. - Madura - 1939

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THE DAZZLING DIAMOND Co.

Big Bazaar, Trichinopoly


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The Dazzling Diamond Co. - Trichinopoly - 1939

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S. SIRKAR & Co.

125, Bowbazar Street, Calcutta


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S. Sirkar & Co. - Calcutta - 1949

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SHEWAKRAM & SONS

Hornby Road, Bombay and The Mall, Lahore, Simla and Mussoorie


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Shewakram & Sons - Bombay - 1927

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C. MARCKS & Co., later, MARCKS & Co. Ltd.

1, East Street and 8, Arsenal Road, Poona, and 2, Hummum Street, Fort, Bombay


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C. Marcks & Co. - Bombay - 1881

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Marcks & Co. Ltd. - Poona - 1904

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Marcks & Co. Ltd. - Poona - c.1920

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Marcks & Co. Ltd. - Poona - 1922


Noted as being customers of James Dixon & Sons of Sheffield in 1915.

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WEST END WATCH Co.

49, Esplanade Road, Bombay and 16, Old Court House Street, Calcutta


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West End Watch Co. - Bombay and Calcutta - 1927

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West End Watch Co. - Bombay and Calcutta - 1931

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West End Watch Co. - Bombay and Calcutta - 1947

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D. CHELLARAM

Sir Phirozshah Mehta Road, later, 41-45, Medows Street, Bombay


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D. Chellaram - Bombay - 1927

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D. Chellaram - Bombay - 1931

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GAZDAR PRIVATE Ltd.

Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay


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Gazdar Private Ltd. - Bombay - 1958

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PEARLS PALACE

65, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Bombay


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Pearls Palace - Bombay - 1958

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MADORINA WATCH Co. Ltd.

Standard Building, 336, Hornby Road, Bombay


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Madorina Watch Co. Ltd. - Bombay - 1933

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