Hamilton & Co

This is a rare and large sterling silver Indian Colonial Photo Frame. This piece has been made to the very highest quality and bears the cast and applied coat of arms of the State of Rampur. The design of the frame is in Hamilton and co's signature style with the reeded border.

The two hinges of the back of the frames are fully hallmarked for Hamilton and co as are the two clips at the bottom. As can be seen in the image the silk backing also bears the Hamilton & Co mark. The frame itself does not bear Hamilton's makers mark but does bears a full set of contemporary import hallmarks.

Hamilton & Co., often referred to as the “Garrard of India,” stands among the most prestigious silversmiths of the colonial era, renowned for producing exquisite silverware that blended British design sensibilities with Indian craftsmanship. Founded in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in the early 19th century, the firm played a pivotal role in the material culture of the British Raj, serving colonial elites, Indian royalty, and discerning clients across the empire.

Origins and Early History

Established around 1808 by Robert Hamilton, Hamilton & Co. quickly grew to become the foremost silversmith in British India. Operating from its grand showroom in Calcutta’s Tank Square, the firm mirrored the model of leading London silversmiths, offering not only silverware but also jewelry, clocks, and fine cutlery. At a time when British expatriates sought to recreate the comforts and refinements of home in a colonial setting, Hamilton & Co. supplied them with silver objects that combined English elegance with local materials and craftsmanship.

Hamilton & Co. silver is known for its superior quality, elegant proportions, and often highly detailed decorative work. Many pieces followed the neoclassical and later Victorian styles popular in Britain, but with adaptations that reflected the firm's Indian context. Common features include intricate repoussé work, chased foliage, and figural scenes that often incorporated Indian motifs—elephants, peacocks, and local floral patterns—executed with exceptional skill by Indian artisans.

The firm's repertoire was wide-ranging. From tea services and flatware to ecclesiastical objects and presentation pieces, Hamilton & Co. silver often matched or even surpassed the craftsmanship found in London workshops. Their large commissions for Indian maharajas and British dignitaries sometimes included elaborate trophies, ceremonial regalia, and grand dinner services, marking them as symbols of status and power.

Throughout the 19th century, Hamilton & Co. enjoyed extensive patronage from both British and Indian elites. British officers stationed in India frequently commissioned the firm for commemorative silver—regimental trophies, retirement gifts, and civic presentation pieces. Simultaneously, Indian royalty, enamored with Western luxury goods, became some of the firm's most lavish patrons, commissioning ornate silver items that blended Mughal opulence with Western forms.

This dual appeal to both colonial and native clientele helped cement Hamilton & Co.'s reputation as a unique cultural intermediary. Their works, often bearing both British and Indian hallmarks, encapsulate the fusion of artistic traditions that defined much of the decorative arts during the British Empire.