Antique Indian Sterling Silver Hand-Engraved Ashtray – Folk Art Village and Wildlife Design

A finely hand-engraved antique Indian sterling silver ashtray, marked “STERLING” and decorated with detailed village, animal and nature scenes.

This distinctive silver piece has a richly worked surface, with folk-art style engraving covering the body in lively narrative detail. The decoration includes traditional village motifs, wildlife and natural elements, giving the ashtray a strong decorative character beyond its original practical use.

Compact yet substantial, it may be displayed as an antique silver ashtray, small catchall dish, trinket dish or collector’s piece of Indian silver. The hand-formed cigarette rests and deeply textured engraving reflect the charm and individuality of handmade silverwork.

Details

Origin: India
Period: Early 20th century
Material: Sterling silver
Mark: Stamped “STERLING”; mark partially worn
Weight: 76 grams
Diameter: 9 cm
Design: Hand-engraved village, animal and nature scenes
Use: Ashtray, catchall dish, trinket dish or decorative silver display piece

Condition

Excellent antique condition with minor surface wear consistent with age and handling. The “STERLING” mark is partially worn, as shown in the photographs. Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

Historical and Collector Context

Indian silver from the late 19th and early 20th centuries is admired for its regional decorative styles, hand engraving and narrative surface detail. Many pieces were made for both local use and the wider export market, often combining practical forms with richly ornamented designs.

This ashtray is a charming example of hand-worked Indian sterling silver. Its detailed folk-art style engraving, compact size and solid silver weight make it suitable for collectors of Indian silver, antique smoking accessories, decorative table silver or unusual handmade objects with strong visual character.

All items are vintage or antique and may show light signs of age. Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description. Feel free to message with any questions prior to purchase.