A Mughal carved emerald flask with stopper, India, circa 18th century

the body of faceted hexagonal form, cut and carved on each face with a floral stem, the stopper carved with eight stylised leaves and a star design to the top

In overall good condition, some natural inclusions to stone, few scratches to surface, 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."

This beautifully carved emerald, with its faceted sides and surface designs is comparable to an earlier miniature cup from the late sixteenth/early seventeenth century Deccan or Mughal India now in the Al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait National Museum (inv. no. LNS 22 HS). It is composed of six faceted sides each carved with a Persian verse (illustrated in Keene 2001, p.133, no.11.11).

With regard to the floral designs on the present flask, other examples from the Al-Sabah collection serve as good examples: notably an armband (bāzubānd) with a central hexagonal carved emerald (inv. no. LNS 141 J), which is ascribed to the second quarter of the seventeenth century and features a floral stem with three stylised flowerheads in a simple and elegant composition (illustrated in Keene 2001, p.114, no.9.10).