Jeypore Enamels

London: W. Griggs, 1886. Folio. (14 1/2 x 10 3/4 inches). 16 pp. 28 chromolithograph plates containing one hundred and twenty designs. Black morocco backed publisher's pictorial paper boards.

Rare and important work documenting the gold enamelling traditions of northwest India.

The authors note that the best enamellers in modern India are the Sikhs, the tradition in Jaipur starting when "Maharaja Man Singh... brought five Sikh enamel workers from Lahore, and... that the descendants of these men still procure their colours from that town to carry on the trade of their forefathers confirms that tradition", and giving the names of the best current practitioners. One of these, Guma Singh, is depicted with in the opening plate alongside three other named workers. Two plates depict the tools of their profession, and the remainder examples of their work including sword handles, vases, cups and spoons, bracelets and jewels. In the preface S.S. Jacob, Executive Engineer of Jaipur State, praises the quality of these illustrations, produced by "one of the best Jeypore artists, by name Ram Bux [Baksh], son of Esur..., and the only credit I can claim is in having set him to work and paid him for his trouble".

Creswell 572.