MUGHAL INDIA OR DECCAN, 17TH CENTURY

Details

A CARVED PALE GREEN NEPHRITE KNIFE HILT IN THE FORM OF A PARROT
MUGHAL INDIA OR DECCAN, 17TH CENTURY
Carved in the round, the parrot with finely detailed feathering, the eyes inlaid with rubies, the tongue formed of a pink hardstone, depicted clasping and pecking at a branch, leaves extending further down, the underside drilled to form a socket, traces of gold in the drill holes below
2in. (5.1cm.) high

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

A hilt with a comparable terminal sold at Bonhams, London, 11 October 2000, lot 674. That hilt was not as detailed as the present lot and it did not have the inset features. The present hilt has a remarkable finesse of detail, unusually for Indian carved jade playing with the surface texture more than normal. Similar carved fine feathered detailing to that in the feathers here can be found in the modelling of the wool of a camel's head on a dagger hilt in a private collection (Skelton, Robert et al.: Court Life and the Arts under Mughal Rule, exhibition catalogue, London, 1982, no.363, pp.120-1). Both that and the present piece show an artist who had both technical virtuosity and a sense of humour. The camel's tongue is licking its lower jaw.

More from Islamic Art & Manuscripts Including Property from The

View All