A GEM SET ROCK-CRYSTAL FLASK

The bottle with its inlaid single gold wire decoration alternating elegant floral sprays with a lozenge issuing swaying and curving floral sprigs recalls the decoration seen on the small drop-shaped scent bottle (Lot 236). In contrast to that example, this larger rock crystal bottle (surahi) is made from one block of rock crystal, a remarkable technical feat (London, 2015). Very probably intended as a wine bottle, its form can be paralleled to that of a magnificent gem set jade bottle which belonged to Lord Clive, sold at Christie’s, London, 27 April 2004, lot 156. There are numerous examples of this form in metal including a gem set gold example that formed part of Nadir Shah’s booty taken in Delhi after his victory at Karnal in 1739, entirely set with emeralds with thin band of rubies now kept at the Hermitage, St Petersburg (inv.no.V3-702).