The exhibition oriental weapons "The Mortal Beauty" of private collections in Russia,

estcrh · 22nd January 2016, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

One of the main ( if not THE MAIN!) theses of the book is the conclusion that many objects traditionally attributed to the 17-18 centuries were in fact made at the end of the 19th century and sold by itinerant vendors to tourists.

Sold by "itinerant vendors" but made by whom? I have read several recollections by travelers to latter 1800s India were they were lamenting the lack of availability of authentically made weapons/armor. They also stated that there were still craftsmen that made these items in an authentic manner. Even in this time people or at least some seemed to be aware of the difference which apparently was not to hard to decern.

ariel · 22nd January 2016, 03:27 AM

To answer your question in a reasonably convincing fashion, I would have to quote several pages of Elgood's account of professional qualifications and the level of perfection achieved by local masters at that time.
I also was in your camp, but I was surprised to read the book: some of these people made stuff barely distinguishable from their celebrated ancestors. Yes, most of the stuff made then was for the foreign suckers, but Rajas maintained their own private workshops that continued to churn out items of the highest quality.
If you are into India, you must read this book. Marvelous source of information that changes one's beliefs once and for all.

22nd January 2016, 03:27 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	To answer your question in a reasonably convincing fashion, I would have to quote several pages of Elgood's account of professional qualifications and the level of perfection achieved by local masters at that time. I also was in your camp, but I was surprised to read the book: some of these people made stuff barely distinguishable from their celebrated ancestors. Yes, most of the stuff made then was for the foreign suckers, but Rajas maintained their own private workshops that continued to churn out items of the highest quality. If you are into India, you must read this book. Marvelous source of information that changes one's beliefs once and for all.