Not currently on display at the V&A

Bowl

Place of origin

This bowl of uncertain date and provenance has been fashioned from a block of material but is either part-finished or not considered worthy of finishing to a high standard. It was made from either marble or serpentine, both of which can superficially resemble nephrite jade but is much less valued. It is also much softer as suggested by the readily visible tool marks which show how the object was worked on a lathe (most probably bow-driven).


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Marble (but possibly serpentine), fashioned and polished using abrasives and possibly metal tools, with much of the process involving turning on a bow-driven lathe.
Brief description
Circular bowl, superficial polish, yellowish green marble (or possibly serpentine), possibly from Burma
Physical description
A relatively deep, circular bowl standing on an irregular but roughly oval, recessed foot. Fashioned in yellowish green marble (but possibly serpentine), with a marbled patterning and a superficial polish with much of the original tool marks still evident.
Dimensions
  • 649 1874 diameter: 108.5 to 109.1mm (Note: External diameter at the rim)
  • 649 1874 height: 54.2 to 55.5mm
  • 649 1874 depth: 48.0mm (+/- 0.2) (Note: Depth from the rim, at the centre)
  • 649 1874 length: 44.5mm (Note: Length of the foot)
  • 649 1874 width: 40.7mm (Note: Width of the foot)
Dimensions vary with orientation
Object history
This bowl was acquired by William Tayler during his time in India (1829-1867). He subsequently sold it to the South Kensington Museum (later renamed the Victoria & Albert Museum) in 1874 for the sum of £3-0-0.

William Tayler was educated in England at Charterhouse and also spent a term at Christ Church, Oxford. He entered service with the East India Company on 30th April 1829, arriving in India in October of the same year. He held various posts in Bengal and was appointed Commissioner of Patna in 1855. During his service, he was able to acquire many objects, including hardstones, relating to the customs and religions of India as well as objects from other parts of South Asia.
He was criticised for his handling of the uprisings in Northern India and was moved to a lesser post before being suspended, ultimately resigning on 29th March 1859. He then practised as an advocate in the law courts of Bengal before returning to England in 1867.
He wrote a book about his experiences, entitled Thirty-eight Years in India, in which he states that "After my return to England, circumstances induced me, though with great reluctance, to part with the collection which is now in the South Kensington Museum".
Summary
This bowl of uncertain date and provenance has been fashioned from a block of material but is either part-finished or not considered worthy of finishing to a high standard. It was made from either marble or serpentine, both of which can superficially resemble nephrite jade but is much less valued. It is also much softer as suggested by the readily visible tool marks which show how the object was worked on a lathe (most probably bow-driven).
Collection
Accession number
649-1874

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdJune 25, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest