Paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, illustrated books—these are all forms of art that are typically on display in an exhibition. But silverware? The choice of subject may seem peculiar, but it is precisely what’s being shown at the Miriam & Ira D. Wallach Art Gallery on the eighth floor of Schermerhorn Hall.
Curated by Vidya Dehejia, Dipti Khera and Yuthika Sharma, “Delight in Design: Indian Silver for the Raj” is not just any collection of spoons, forks, and knives. In fact, spoons, forks, and knives are just a small fraction of everything that is on display—the exhibition contains calling cards, menu card holders, rose-water sprinklers, domino boxes, and even a pair of scissors.
Over 150 pieces of silverware are on display throughout the five rooms, and each one was finely crafted by an Indian silversmith during the Raj, the period from 1858 to 1947 during which India was under British colonial rule.
Each exquisitely crafted piece in the gallery is a fusion of European forms and distinctive Indian styles. Because these styles differed from region to region, the silverware illuminates the local tastes of various parts of the empire. Lucknow silversmiths, for example, frequently incorporated a jungle pattern replete with flora and fauna into their creations, or embellished the surface of the object with dhaniya, a coriander flower pattern. The Kashmir favored a shawl or parsley design, while the Kutch prefered images of swamis, or gods. There were, though, common motifs that surfaced in many displays throughout the gallery: snakes, elephants, birds, flowers, trees, and deities were among the more popular symbols.
“It is really quite remarkable to see such a diverse display of intricate handiwork in one place,” said Marilyn Sauline, a resident of the neighborhood. “In each case I look in, they are all wonderful.” Indeed, the intricacy of the detail in the silverware carving is astounding.
Some of the most distinctive exhibits feature a tea service shaped like quails, a pair of candlesticks depicting male and female dancers, plates and a bowl from Chinar emblazoned with leaves, and a wine bottle holder shaped like a rocking chair from Kutch. There is also a special exhibit of a dessert service for twelve, consisting of one tray and seven drawers filled with forks, knives, and spoons. One room of the gallery is dedicated to sketches from the portfolio of Oomersee Mawjee, the most renowned Kutch silversmith.
“One of the reasons I came here was because of a television show, The Raj Quartet,” Sauline added. “This exhibit will inspire people to see movies about British colonization in India.” Such movies will actually be shown as part of a film series on Wednesday nights to accompany the exhibition. There will also be two gallery talks and a lecture—and everything is free of charge.
Even a simple teaspoon can captivate the attention of a gallery browser for hours—it seems almost as if the elaborate designs have rendered the silverware only fit for display, and not for practical use.
“Delight in Design” is showing at Wallach Art Gallery through Dec. 13. The gallery’s hours are 1-5 p.m. Wed. through Sat. and closed Sun. through Tues. For more info, call 212-854-2877.
