A group of designs and sketches by the workshop of Raghavji Mawji
Bhuj, late 19th Century51 sheets loosely bound within archival folder, comprising approximately 135 designs in pencil and pen and ink for rose water sprinklers, trays, vases, frames, walking stick handles, centerpieces and a number of other objects, many pages with company stamps and written annotations, the pages with various manufacturers' watermarks
33.4 x 21 cm. and smaller注脚Raghavji Mawji was a contemporary of the master silvermith Oomersi Mawji in Bhuj in the last quarter of the 19th century. Although it is unknown whether they were related to each other, it is clear from this collection of drawings and from known examples of his works that Raghavji too was an artisan of the highest ability. Like his better known counterpart he came from the cobbler caste, and began his career crafting metal-mounted leather objects such as shields. He was awarded the bronze medal for a candlestick at the Delhi Exhibition in 1903. For examples of his work see Wynyard R.T. Wilkinson, Indian Silver 1858-1947, London, 1999, pp. 80 and 87, nos. 110 and 126.