Oomersi Mawji

[SJT]

Hi all,

New to the site so thanks for accepting me and any information you give.

I have what I believe is a rare 1890's Oomersi Mawji Silver Betel Box and would appreciate any information as to its worth.

I must first say the Box has damage and the lid has been crudely restored ( not by me). The base is made with what looks like a coloured glass/enamel, the lid has been substituted with a hard paper mache like material.

It is approx 11" 28cm in height and has a metal plate with 4 holes which I presume would have had bottles or bowls to hold the betel nuts/ spice.

It weighs approximately 830g total and is marked O,M on the base.

I did list it on a well known auction site but had so many enquiries regarding offers and buy it now figures I wasn't sure  how much it was worth.

I've loved reading about Oomersi Mawji and his sons so I'm aware of his history, I'm more interested in who the Betel Box could have been made for and what material he used for the base and the top (before it was a bit crudely restored).

Thanks in advance for any info.

Kind regards

SJT

PS tried to upload more pics but it won't allow.

[MickB]

At first I thought this was a spell as by saying 'Oomersi Mawji' three times, my sideboard would lift off the floor and my lights would start to flicker.

I've now looked it up & can't see a similar item on Google. If you take it to an auction house for an evaluation it should give you a better idea of it's worth and then you could decide if it would pay for it to be properly restored.  Nice piece by the way.

[SJT]

11 hours ago, MickB said:

At first I thought this was a spell as by saying 'Oomersi Mawji' three times, my sideboard would lift off the floor and my lights would start to flicker.

I've now looked it up & can't see a similar item on Google. If you take it to an auction house for an evaluation it should give you a better idea of it's worth and then you could decide if it would pay for it to be properly restored.  Nice piece by the way.

Thank you MickB, this did make me giggle, I dare not say Oomersi Mawji three times just in case!

I have had a few replies from auction houses but two wasn't interested and the third want's me to take it in, problem being it's just to far away, I've asked if I can send it to them and am awaiting a response.

Your right to, it really is a nice unusual piece.

SJT

[MickB]

1 hour ago, SJT said:

Thank you MickB, this did make me giggle, I dare not say Oomersi Mawji three times just in case!

I have had a few replies from auction houses but two wasn't interested and the third want's me to take it in, problem being it's just to far away, I've asked if I can send it to them and am awaiting a response.

Your right to, it really is a nice unusual piece.

SJT

It might be worth looking into seeing if you can submit detailed photos of it to an auction house, if there's any place that would take emailed submissions. It would save a bit of travelling.

[SJT]

3 hours ago, MickB said:

It might be worth looking into seeing if you can submit detailed photos of it to an auction house, if there's any place that would take emailed submissions. It would save a bit of travelling.

Yes, thanks MickB, I have emailed Fellows and Bonhams. 

Do you know of anyone in the forum who restores or who would know anyone who could? Would be great to see it back how Oomersi made it (didn't say it three times so I'm ok!! I hope!:)

Regards

SJT

[MickB]

7 hours ago, SJT said:

Yes, thanks MickB, I have emailed Fellows and Bonhams. 

Do you know of anyone in the forum who restores or who would know anyone who could? Would be great to see it back how Oomersi made it (didn't say it three times so I'm ok!! I hope!:)

Regards

SJT

The glass is contoured so it would need a specialist to restore this back to it's former glory.