CENTRAL OR NORTH INDIA, DATED AH 1117/1705-06 AD

A number of related examples can be seen in the royal ashur khanah in Hyderabad (Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, pl. 532, p.325). The present standard is unusual in that it is made of steel like its Safavid prototypes; rather than brass usually employed in eighteenth century Hyderabad examples. A further brass example in the Victoria and Albert Museum which was presented to General Lake by Mughal Emperor Shah 'Alam II (r.1759-1806), is very closely related to our standard in terms of its free flowing calligraphy (Rosemary Crill, The Indian Heritage: Court Life and Arts under Mughal Rule, London, 1982, cat. 516, p.153). Our standard is clearly earlier and more sophisticated in terms of its construction and calligraphic composition than the example in the Victoria and Albert Museum. However, the similarity in style might suggest that our standard could originate from North India.