A Late 19thC Indian Marble Bowl Containing a Collection of Clay & Glass Marbles

Object Description

The beautiful marble bowl carved from a single block of pale, softly grained marble, of thick-walled, gently flared circular form, the surface worn to a matte, chalky patina through long handling and age, with the interior now housing an accumulated group of English antique marbles in varying sizes, comprising hand-rolled clay examples alongside early glass marbles in muted tones of celadon green, smoke blue, off-white, stone grey and occasional faded striping, together forming a quietly harmonious palette, softened further by surface wear and time.

Object History

Unknown.

Object Literature

Stone and marble bowls of this type were commonly produced in India during the 19th century for domestic and utilitarian use, valued for their weight, durability and cooling properties. Marbles, meanwhile, were ubiquitous children’s objects across the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, with clay examples dominating before glass gradually became more widespread. Surviving groups with such sympathetic ageing are increasingly scarce, particularly where the marbles have not been overly cleaned or curated back into artificial brightness.

A quietly compelling and entirely authentic assemblage; the restraint of the Indian marble bowl acting as a grounded counterpoint to the softened colours and varied forms of the marbles it contains. Decorative yet deeply tactile, this is an object group that speaks gently of play, domestic life and time passed, sitting comfortably within a country house or cabinet context without affectation.

Object Condition

The marble bowl is structurally sound, with no cracks or repairs, showing expected surface wear, abrasions and soft edge knocks consistent with age and use. The marbles vary in condition: some with chips, firing imperfections, and surface losses, others with dulled or frosted glass from play and burial-like wear. All entirely commensurate with age and use and contributing to the overall character of the group.

Object Details