Micro Mosaic Inlaid Sedali Picture Frame: C19th Eastern India

Item Details:

A beautiful 19th century inlaid Sadeli frame. The tiny intricate mosaic inlay consists of bone, silver, copper and brass. Indian, circa 1880.

This is a frame only, we have photographed it with various textiles and a carved wooden panel, but it would look equally wonderful with an old photograph or a painting. The frame is a work of art in its own right and the craftsmanship involved to create these items is absolutely breathtaking.

Sadeli is a technique which consists of micromosaic made of wood, bone, horn & metal arranged in geometric patterns. This technique is usually associated with Western India, in particular with the Bombay Presidency (Bombay, Surat, Ahmedabad and Bilimora). The technique was known in other regions of India: in the catalogue of Bengal products sent to the Great Exhibition of 1851, some sadeli-wares are mentioned being made in Calcutta although "superior articles of the same description are made in Bombay" (Amin Jaffer 2001, p.233).

Measurements:
Outer frame: 37.5 x 31cm
Inner frame: 29 x 23cm

Condition.
In good antique order, some rubs to laquer finish and a few losses of tiny mosaic pieces, but nothing that detracts from the overall loveliness of this beautiful handcrafted frame. Comes complete with a backing board.