Digital Rare Book:
The Travancore State Manual
By V. Nagam Aiya
Dewan Peishcar, Travancore.
Published by Travancore Government Press, Trivandrum - 1906

Read Book Online:

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Image:

The Travancore state silver throne
Late 19th century

The arched backrail with pierced decoration and scrolling foliage centred by two roaring lions holding a shell, the padded back centred by an armorial, the serpentine seat flanked to each side by a seated lion armrest, the apron decorated with scrolling foliage, on cabriole legs with paw feet to the front.

In ancient India furniture was largely unknown before the arrival of Europeans, except for thrones used by the rulers. These thrones were known as Simhasana which means Lions seat. From the end of the 16th century, with the founding of the East India Companies, the Europeans, initially the Portuguese, followed by the English and Dutch, began to establish trading settlements along the east and west coasts, which soon grew into prosperous towns. These settlers were unable to bring much furniture with them, but soon discovered that Indian craftsmen had the extraordinary skill of being able to copy a pattern meticulously. Over time, several schools of furniture makers developed in different parts of the country, their characteristics largely determined by the materials available in their region. By the end of the 18th century Indian-made furniture was both aesthetically and technically accomplished. In the second half of the 19th century, India was represented at the Great International Exhibitions increasing fashion for Indian goods in Europe.

Source: Bonhams