Description:

 A MUGHAL BRONZE EWER (AFTABA), INDIA, 16TH/17TH CENTURY
North India, Mughal Empire, 16th–17th century

Description:
This finely cast bronze aftaba (ewer) exemplifies the grandeur and refinement of Mughal court metalwork. The body is of elegant spiral-fluted form, rising from a lobed foot and crowned with a delicately modeled domed cover and faceted neck. The dramatic curved spout echoes the ribbed body, while the zoomorphic handle, shaped as a stylized dragon or makara, adds a sense of movement and regal energy. The hinged lid is surmounted by a small knop, and the overall surface displays a warm, dark patina with gilded highlights subtly catching the contours of the swirling design.

Dimensions: Approx. 31 cm high

This type of ewer, often used for pouring water during ritual or courtly functions, reflects a fusion of Central Asian and Indo-Islamic decorative traditions, incorporating Persianate motifs and zoomorphic symbolism characteristic of the Mughal visual lexicon.

Comparable examples:

  • A related Mughal cast bronze ewer with makara handle, 17th century, sold at Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 20 April 2016, Lot 159, for £10,000.

  • A spiral-fluted bronze ewer with similar dragon handle, North India, 16th–17th century, sold at Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 7 October 2014, Lot 153 for £9,375.

  • A comparable bronze ewer with domed lid and ribbed body, Mughal India, 17th century, sold at Bonhams, Islamic and Indian Art, 21 October 2020, Lot 84, for £8,825.

Note:
Mughal aftabas of this period were not only utilitarian objects but also expressions of status and taste. The spiral-fluted form may be inspired by earlier Timurid and Safavid metalwork, while the dragon handle aligns with motifs used across Islamic Asia to signify guardianship and authority. The remarkable craftsmanship and sculptural quality suggest this was a commissioned piece, likely intended for a princely or noble patron.

 Similar published: Mark Zebrowski, Gold, Silver & Bronze From Mughal India, London, 1997, pl. 177, p. 144

 

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May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
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