A set of Deccani Steel armour plates (chahar-a'ineh), South India, 17th Century

comprising a breastplate, a backplate and two smaller sideplates, of slightly convex rectangular form, each with a chiselled and chased central panel, three with an arabesque of interlocking split-palmettes with palmette terminals, the other with a central flowerhead issuing scrolling stems of iris and lotus blossoms, with borders of overlaid gold scrolling flowers and split-palmettes, each with four foliate strap fittings with palmette terminals

minor dents and patination, areas of rubbing to gold decoration, losses to strap fittings, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The silver chiselled palmette arabesque with gold scrolling border relates closely to a seventeenth-century Deccani shield in the Furusiyya Art Foundation (see Mohamed 2007, pp.372-373, no.354) and another in a private German collection (see Hamburg 1983, p.222, no.157)