How do I identify Hoshiarpur work?

Hoshiarpur pieces are recognised by their dense surface ornamentation using brass, bone or ivory inlaid into dark woods like shisham. The patterns typically feature intricate geometric or floral designs covering the entire wooden body. Such work originates from the Punjab region and appears frequently on mirrors, frames and occasional furniture from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

What is Anglo-Indian furniture?

Anglo-Indian furniture consists of pieces made in India by local craftsmen for British residents, combining traditional Indian carving techniques with Western forms. Common examples include armchairs, folding chairs and large four-poster beds. These items utilise native timbers such as teak, ebony and hardwood, often displaying deep relief carving or turned wooden elements.

How should I care for wooden frames with inlay?

Maintain these items by keeping them away from direct sunlight and sudden temperature changes, which can dry out the timber and loosen delicate brass or bone inlay. Dust gently with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid using liquid polishes or moisture, as these can seep into the carved recesses and damage the vulnerable organic materials used in the construction.

What periods do these pieces date from?

The selection spans the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, covering the Victorian and Edwardian eras alongside specific design periods like Regency. Many items date from the height of the British Raj around 1880 to 1900. Dates are assigned based on stylistic evidence, materials used, and documented workshop practices from regions such as Kashmir and Hoshiarpur.