Victorian/Edwardian Anglo-Indian wardrobe

Victorian/Edwardian Anglo-Indian wardrobe

This is a wonderful piece of Anglo-Indian Colonial furniture — specifically a large two-door wardrobe/almirah — with some very identifiable characteristics. Maker & Origin The oval label clearly reads C. Lazarus & Co. Ltd, Manufacturers, Calcutta. This was one of the most prestigious furniture firms in colonial India, supplying high-quality pieces to British administrators, military officers, and wealthy Indian families during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Period Based on the decorative style, this almost certainly dates to approximately 1890–1910 (late Victorian to Edwardian era). Wood The deep reddish-brown color, grain pattern, and figure are consistent with Indian teak (Tectona grandis), which was the premium cabinet wood used by top Calcutta makers of this period. Style & Craftsmanship The upper door panels feature exceptional hand-carved decoration — flowing ribbons, floral bouquets, acanthus scrollwork, and rosettes — which blends Victorian decorative motifs with Indian craftsmanship. This combination is the hallmark of the Anglo-Indian style. The interior is practical and well-fitted with multiple shelves and three campaign-style brass-handled drawers. Value & Collectibility Pieces by named Calcutta makers like Lazarus are genuinely collectible. A wardrobe of this quality, condition, and provenance in good condition would typically sell in the £2,000–£6,000 range at auction in the UK, though exceptional examples fetch more.