Description:

A DECCANI BRONZE EWER & BASIN, MUGHAL INDIA, 18TH CENTURY


Deccan, India, 18th century

Description:
Cast and engraved bronze with traces of gilding and black inlay; this finely crafted ewer (aftaba) and its matching basin (tasht) are exemplary of 18th-century Deccani metalwork, showcasing the refined craftsmanship and floral aesthetic of Mughal India.

The ewer features a bulbous body that narrows into a flared neck with a serrated mouth and a delicately contoured, dragon-head-like handle opposite an elegantly curved spout. The surface is decorated in dense, finely incised floral motifs organized into elegant lobed and drop-shaped panels framed with vegetal scrollwork. The shoulder and foot are further embellished with stylized bands of meandering vines.

The basin is octagonal in form with a matching foot and central opening designed to support the ewer. It is similarly adorned with engraved floral panels alternating with geometric borders. Both pieces exhibit traces of gold and black inlay, highlighting key decorative areas and reflecting the Indo-Islamic fusion of form and ornament.

This ensemble was likely used in a courtly or ceremonial context for ritual handwashing or ablution, consistent with the refined etiquette of elite Mughal households.

Comparable examples:

  • A similar Deccani ewer and basin, 18th century, sold at Bonhams, London, Islamic and Indian Art, 25 October 2022, Lot 120, for £18,750.

  • A Mughal bronze ewer with incised decoration, North Deccan, circa 1750, sold at Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 20 April 2016, Lot 142, for £22,500.

  • A related bidri-inlaid ewer and basin from Hyderabad, late 18th century, sold at Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 26 October 2017, Lot 165, for £16,250.

Note:
This type of ewer and basin set reflects the luxurious lifestyle of Mughal and Deccani courts, where ceremonial ablution played an important role in both religious and social rituals. The integration of dense vegetal engraving with a harmonious form reflects the sophisticated metalworking traditions of the Deccan plateau, influenced by Persian, Ottoman, and indigenous Indian artistic vocabularies. Such pieces were treasured not only for their function but as symbols of refinement, hospitality, and piety.


Height of ewer: 35cm

Diameter of basin: 30cm

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

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