This ewer’s shape illustrates the stylistic transition from Persian to Indian form. For a further example, see Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, pl. 223. A similar shaped ewer was sold at Sotheby’s London, 5 October 2011, lot 268.
Post Lot Text
Bidri ware is believed to originate from the city of Bidar, in the Deccan. The wares are cast from a zinc, copper, and tin alloy, to which varying proportions of lead is added. The vessels are then inlaid with a metal of choice, predominantly silver although occasionally with gold and brass. Their shapes were determined by their function in the Deccani Muslim aristocratic household they were produced for (Jagdish Mittal, Bidri ware and Damascene work in Jagdish and Kamla Mittal Museum of Indian Art, Hyderabad, 2011, p.22).

Their refined function is reflected by the objects in this collection. The spittoon was the symbol of a sophisticated lifestyle, as it was an indispensable accessory for the chewing of betel nuts. The ewer and basin were an essential combination in every middle-class and aristocratic household in India, and had the symbolic status of water-bearing objects. Huqqas also had a symbolic status within aristocratic houses, demonstrated in numerous paintings and illustrations. These include both mobile huqqas and stationary ones, as illustrated in a Bundi painting, dated 1662, in which a prince is seen with his lady under his right arm and holding his mobile huqqa with his left hand (illustrated in Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, p.238, no. 405).

The decoration of bidri ware can provide insight into its origin. The three petal blossoms, a feature in almost all our bidri wares, were a floral design typical of mid-late 18th century Deccani bidri ware. Whilst they appear simple in their design, they required the expertise and skill of a master craftsman (Jagdish Mittal, op.cit., 2011, p.98).

This lot has been imported from outside the EU for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the hammer price.