A GROUP OF FORTY-THREE (43) CAST BRONZE INDIAN JEWELLER'S HAND-STAMPING MOULDS (THAPPA)
Possibly Orissa (Odisha), Eastern India, 19th and 20th centuries

Comprising forty-three bronze moulds, typically used by Indian craftsmen for hand-stamping elements for jewellery and small ornaments as well as for tooling, varying in shape and size, mostly square, hexagonal and rounded, engraved with an impressive variety of decorative motifs from figural with animals and mythical creatures, and aniconic with divine foot marks with parasols, to floral medallions, arabesques, vegetal sprays with thick foliage, and patterned gridwork.

The largest 8cm x 9.5cm and the smallest 3cm x 1.5cm

For further reference: Oppi Untracht, 'India: a rural silver jewellery odyssey' in René van der Star, Ethnic Jewellery from Africa, Asia and Pacific Islands, 2008, p. 146.