Silver ware

The range of silverware is indeed wide: silver tea-sets, flower vases, toilet sets, scent chests, ornamental picture-frames, cigarette-cases, tumblers, etc. Among the flora and fauna, leaves of the chinar and the lotus furnish the popular patterns. Designs of the lilac, a popular flower of the Valley, are also wrought in silver. The silversmith works with a hammer and chisel, and will faithfully copy any design which may be given to him. Up to recent years, the silver-work of Kashmir had a peculiar white sheen time, very beautiful at first sight, but apt to tarnish after short time. This whiteness is said to be due to the practice of boiling the silver work in apricot juice.