A parcel-gilt silver footed-bowl and stand, India, possibly Hyderabad, second half 18th century

the deep lotiform bowl raised on a domed foot, the broad flattened stand with a shallow everted rim composed of petal shapes, decorated throughout with leaf and petal motifs formed from concave recesses with further chiselled details, the stand with ensuite decoration

The decoration of this bowl and stand is a clever conceit. The recessed areas are ungilded and are shaped to catch the light, not only to attract attention in their own right, but also to appear as if they are inlaid with transparent precious stones, suggestive of diamonds.

The bowl and stand would have formed part of a durbar set.  Several comparable examples are known from notable collections. Most usefully, a group of closely related pieces is in the Clive Collection at Powis Castle (Powis 1987, p.74, cat. no.86).  Some of these are already listed as being in Clive's collection in 1766 with the assumption that the other pieces of this type that he owned were purchased by him shortly after this date. A rosewater sprinkler from this group, now in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, is reputed to have been taken from the treasury of Tipu Sultan, suggesting that these wares may have their origin in Southern India (Stronge 2009, no.51, pp.50-51). A related rosewater sprinkler and stand was sold in these rooms, 14 April 2010, lot 168.