There's nothing like a box inlaid with designs of mother-of-pearl or a small table with inlays of ivory to spice up a room. That's why many collectors are searching for examples of 19th-century art, furniture and textiles from India.

Periodically, Indian furniture, decorative arts and paintings will show up in shops and at auctions of English antiques. Prices are on the low side, considering the artistry and quality of the pieces. At an April Skinner auction of European furniture and decorative arts there were bargains: a caned and bone inlaid Indo-Portuguese chaise lounge sold for $2,225, a miniature portrait on ivory, early 20th century, went for $294.

Prices are even lower for the small tables, chests and boxes that go unrecognized in shops and even garage sales.

What makes these pieces fascinating are the combinations of unusual materials, such as brass, stained ivory and rosewood with carving.

Many of the pieces have a British accent. From Chippendale to English Regency, Indian artisans copied the prevailing English fashions.

When the British were in power in India, artists trained at the Indian courts sought employment at British commercial centers, such as Calcutta and Madras.

Using their skills and native materials, they fashioned furniture on commission.

At the same time, the port city of Vizagapatam became known as the furniture capital of India. European ships and settlers hired local artisans to make Western-style pieces. The specialty of the region was ivory inlay. The designs were engraved and highlighted with black lacquer. Other motifs were scrolling borders, human figures and architectural scenes.

The many religions of India also influenced designs. Among them: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Mohammedanism and tribal.

Pieces show the origin of their design influences, whether Portuguese, Dutch or German.

They will be labeled “Indo-Dutch,” “Indo-Portuguese,” etc.

Fine natural history drawings, as well as paintings of British family and social life, also were commissioned. Miniature paintings were also popular in the 19th century.

Not long in a small-town antiques shop in North Carolina I came across a fine miniature painting on ivory of an English family outing. Indian buildings in the background were a clue to the origin.

The shop owner had purchased it along with an estate. The price: $50.

Although many Indian craftsmen received personal recognition, for the most part they are unknown. Unlike the art of other countries, Indian art is rarely signed. Even if it is, the artist is not identifiable. Dealers and collectors will have to rely on their good taste to judge the value and merits of Indian antiques.

Indian paintings were not only done on ivory but on mats, cloth, boards and paper. The permanent mineral colors were bonded by glue and lime.

There were also brightly painted boxes and pots and papier-mbchi puppets and masks for dancers.

Around the end of the 19th century, tourists from America and Europe rediscovered India.

The brass and copper trays, jars, boxes and paisley shawls they brought back are slowly going up in values.

Wood carvings from Mysore and Kashmir are still being made. The new ones are less detailed.

Major museums are a good place to get acquainted with “the look” of Indian antiques.

Q&A

Question: I bought a cute cup and saucer at a garage sale for $5. It is crackled and has elephants all around. The mark features a rabbit and says Dedham. Pottery . Do I have a treasure ?

Answer: You do indeed. The cup and saucer could sell in a shop for more than $400. Dedham pottery originally opened in 1866 in Chelsea, Mass. After the original owner died, it was moved to Dedham, Mass., in 1896. It is best known for its crackleware with animals within a blue band.

Contact Anne Gilbert by mail: c/o Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati 45202. Photos cannot be returned.

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