This month’s featured artifacts are a remarkable teapot and creamer, masterfully crafted in the form of the Grey Francolin a bird indigenous to the arid regions of the Indian subcontinent. These pieces exemplify the ingenuity and artistry of Oomersi Mawji, the preeminent Indian silversmith of the 19th century. The teapot and creamer are meticulously sculpted to resemble the grey francolin in dynamic poses. The teapot depicts the bird with a snake entwined around its body, serving as the handle—a design that not only showcases Mawji’s fascination with dramatic animal interactions but also embodies themes of life and death. Each feather and scale are individually rendered, highlighting the silversmith’s unparalleled attention to detail.