A Kutch silver-mounted carved ivory powder-flask bearing the Arms of the Marquess Conyngham of Donegal, India, circa 1850-60

of tusk-form, carved on one side with the Coat-of-Arms of the Marquess Conyngham of Donegal, and the other side with a floral bouquet in an arabesque frame, mounted in a carved and stamped silver setting in the French Renaissance revivalist fashion with en-suite floral decoration and mermaid-form latch, chain for hanging, on customised stand

In overall good condition, the ivory with some hairline cracks and minor encrustation within interstices, the silver mount in good condition, 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."

Of beautiful quality and highly ornate design, this powder-flask is the result of an amalgam between the skilled craftsmanship associated with the Kutch district of Gujarat, India, and North European cultural traditions. The ivory powder-flask is carved in low relief with the coat-of-arms of the Marquess of Conyngham and detailed floral motifs. It is enclosed within a revivalist, Renaissance-style silver mount with a strapwork interlace design that features on many sixteenth-century decorative patterns suspending the Flowers of the Union of England, Ireland and Scotland, and the silver nozzle terminus was formed as a mermaid inspired by Western mythology. The elegant and realistic rendering of the mermaid, as well as the quality of the silver-chasing on a finely pounced matted ground, are further associated with Kutch workmanship, which in the present case, has adopted and synthesised European models remarkably.

The Marquess of Conyngham is the title of an Anglo-Irish aristocratic family distinguished throughout the Regency and Victorian periods as soldiers, courtiers and politicians. The title was created in 1816 for Henry Conyngham (1766-1832), who served as Lord Steward to the Royal Household between 1821 and 1830 and as Constable and Governor of Windsor Castle from 1829 to 1830. It is most likely that the present powder-flask was presented to Francis, the 2nd Marquess (1797-1876), who began his military career in the Ceylon Regiment (Riflemen), purchasing an unattached Majority in 1827.