PROBABLY DECCAN, CENTRAL INDIA, 17TH CENTURY

A number of comparable flasks are published in Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, nos.301 and 308-15, pp.202-3. The design, Zebrowski writes, evolved in order to carry water and wine on journey or into battle and the shape related to the pilgrim flask of medieval Europe. R.H.Pinder-Wilson suggested that the metal form probably derived from the leather containers often depicted in Mughal and Persian painting (and M.Tregear, "Two Drinking Flasks from Asia", Oriental Art , Vol. XVI, no. 4, winter 2970).

Most of those known have cusped medallions dropping from the neck, where ours has a triangular motif on each side. This is also found on a related flask in the Khalili Collection (J.M.Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Treasures from the Nasser D. Khalili Collection, exhibition catalogue, Sydney, 2007, no.356, pp.300-31). A similar pilgrim flask sold in these Rooms, 7 October 2008, lot 227.