November’s Item of the Month is an unusually large Indian shisham, ivory and ebony inlaid wall mirror, Hoshiarpur, North India, circa 1880.
Hoshiarpur, a town in the Punjab region of India, was renowned for its inlay work in ivory, ebony and brass. W. Coldstream, Deputy Commissioner of the District from 1880 to 1883, encouraged Hoshiarpur artisans to make pieces for the European market. Under his guidance they began to produce a wide range of inlaid wares aimed at western markets. They achieved great success at international exhibitions as well as in shops in London and New York that stocked oriental curiosities.
Shisham is a durable wood from a deciduous sub-Himalayan tree, which does not warp or split and is one of the most esteemed woods used for furniture making in the north of India.
[Hoshiarpur information taken from Mirror Stand | Unknown | V&A Explore The Collections.)