Asta Bidspirit | Coconut bowl, India, 19th century

Coconut bowl, India, 19th century - carved with small arches with animals and deities; silver metal frame; three feet chiselled in the shape of an elephant. Removable container signed P.Orr&Sons Madras, h. cm. 15. P.Orr & Sons, founded in 1846, is a chain of stores that sells watches and clocks based in the city of Chennai in India. It used to primarily make clocks. It was started by Peter Orr from Scotland in 1846 on the foundation of the nascent George Gordon & Co. The first showroom of P.Orr & Sons was opened at Anna Salai in the year 1879 which is today a heritage building and still in operation. The building was commissioned by Scottish watchmaker Peter Orr, and designed by Robert Chisholm, consulting architect to the Government of Madras. It was inaugurated by Prince George, Duke of York, who later became King George V, and Princess Mary of Teck, who later became Queen Mary. The store initially sold diamonds, equipment, guns, silver good, and later began selling mechanical watches and clocks. This is the place where first Rolex watch was sold in India for 198rs.