MUGHAL INDIA, LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY

Details

A GOLD-INLAID AND RUBY-SET ROCK CRYSTAL PLAQUE
MUGHAL INDIA, LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY
Of cusped cartouche form, the rock crystal surface set with a central gold quatrefoil inlaid with single ruby and issuing a floral arabesque with further rubies set in gold rosettes, two minor replacements in the gold, minor chips and inclusions to the rock crystal, cut down from a larger panel
1 7/8in. (4.6cm.) long

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Lot Essay

This panel relates to a number of imperial hardstone objects decorated with stones set into gold mounts. The elegant cusping that surrounds the rubies here - with small protrusions between each arch - is very similar to those on a spherical box and a dagger hilt both in the Al-Sabah Collection and dated to the late 16th or early 17th century (Manuel Keene and Salam Kaoukji, Treasury of the World, London, 2001, nos.2.8 and 2.11, pp.33-35). The hilt shares with ours the same design based around lozenges and issuing small rosettes at the corners.

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