Inlaid and carved overall with scrolling foliage and mounted overall with spheres, the pierced serpentine three-quarter gallery above a hinged slope lined with grey velvet and a side drawer enclosing two Asprey silver-mounted inkwells with monogram 'DCL', enclosing an interior of two shelves flanked by three drawers on one side and false drawers on the opposing side, the front panel framed by columns, the sides centred by an oval medallion, opening on the right side to reveal an arragement of five drawers beneath two pigeon-holes, on a plinth base with four bun feet, the side drawer with plaque inscribed 'THIS WAS MADE BY PONNADA AUDIAH'S WORKSHOP, IN THE DISTRICT OF VIZAGAPATAM OF INDIA ON 3RD FEBRUARY 1865', the inkwells with silver mounts with retailer's inscription 'ASPREY, MANUFACTURER, 22. ALBEMARLE STREET, 166. BOND STREET'
39 in. (99 cm.) high; 20 in. (51 cm.) wide; 26 in. (66 cm.) deep

Acquired from Mallett, London.

This lot contains elephant ivory material and is offered with the benefit of being registered as ‘exempt’ in the UK in accordance with the UK Ivory Act. Please note that it is your responsibility to determine and satisfy the requirements of any applicable regulations relating to the export or import of any lot you purchase.

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.
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Lot Essay

Beautifully veneered in ebony and mounted with delicately carved ivory panels, this davenport is one of the finest examples known and belongs to a small and unique group of signed Indian cabinetmaking from the great centre of furniture production Vizagapatam.

The city, on India's east coast, was known as an artisanal centre and the Journal of Indian Art, II, 1887 commented that 'Hardly any lover of Indian art is unfamiliar with Vizagapatam [...] and it really carries the palm in ivory fretwork'. Though no record of Ponnada Audiah's workshop has been found, there exist a few other signed pieces by Vizagapatam craftsmen, often working under the auspices of the Maharajah's court. The inkwells retailed by Asprey with London hallmark of 1865 indicate that the davenport was likely exported to London soon after its conception, most likely for an official whose monogram 'DCL' is probably that on the inkwell covers.

Designed in the early 19th century British antique/Grecian fashion, this davenport relates to one by the Vizagapatam workshop of Yendapilly Versalingum sold Christie's London, 23 January 2007, lot 251. It also relates to the Davenport bureau-chest illustrated in Queen Charlotte's drawing-room at Frogmore, Windsor; and a form of furniture described as being 'a very useful article for industrious young ladies' (W.H. Pyne, Royal Residences, 3 vols, 1817-1820; and J. C. Loudon, Encyclopaedia of Cottage, Farm and Villa Architecture, 1839). A related lac-decorated Davenport, executed by Royal [ivory] workmen in the palace of the Maharaja of Vizianagram was shown by Rajah G.N. Gajapati, Rao Vizagapatam at the Exhibition of Native Fine and Industrial Art, held at Simla in 1881 (A. Jaffer, Furniture from British India and Ceylon, London, 2001, fig. 98, p.216). This latter 'Exhibition' piece was sold by the R.E. Summerfeld Charitable Trust, Christie's, London, 19 April 1990, lot 74. The Summerfeld desk retained a card inscribed ....executed by Royal workmen in the Rajah's palace, Name of Chief Artesan L. Venkatadas; Exhibitor the Rajah G. N. Gajapati Ras (?) Vizagapatam.