Notice how all the letters are against one edge of the center band, giving a continuous 'line' of brass at the other edge... There are only a few languages that use a continuous line linking all their script letters.
Farsi and Arabic are not among them.
Sanskrit is, as is Bengali, Gurmukhi, Devanagari and Assamese.
Use google images to look at samples of each and see if you can spot similarities.

Think about what was in vogue at the time it was made. Perhaps something from the Indian continent since Brittania still ruled and going on Safari was still the aristocratic thing to do.

Was this handed down in the family? If so, maybe think about what the original owner was doing with her life at the time, and where she may have picked it up.

Oh, and if it is any of those languages I listed, then it is upside down in your picture.

Just texted this thread to Indiana Jones.

Well, he did study under Professor Ravenwood at the University of Chicago.

Ax this guy:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1376515239.jpg

Sanskrit....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1376522079.gif

It's Ethiopian, no joke. See Edgar Allan Poe's "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym of Nantucket."

Good Lord, a Stargate reference?

I can't see it very clearly. Aziz, LIGHT!

http://www.alicia-logic.com/capsimag...0AzizLight.jpg

Is that Wingdings?

Even if we haven't found an answer yet (ever?), this has been fun.

Cheers, gents. :)

Ethiopian Alphabet

Likely. But also look at Devanagari.

Ethiopian? Doubt it.
Ethiopian has no matra line, afaik.