Perfume holder c. 1870 - 1875
Gold, rubies and emeralds | 9.0 x 12.0 x 10.0 cm (parts .a and .b together) | RCIN 11479
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A gold perfume holder comprised of a gold square bottle chased with patterns of flowers and crosshatching. Perfume, or attar, was offered within the Indian court to welcome visitors. The four edges of the bottle are decorated with gold modelled flowers and leaves and the stopper is set with emeralds and a diamond, with a gold ladle attached on inside. The bottle is fixed to a gold tray of openwork foliate design with rim set with rubies and emeralds, which is inscribed with the name of the ruler of Wankaner in English. The perfume bottle and accompanying tray is mounted on another tray with a chased foliate border with four feet modelled on tiger or lion paws. A Gujarati inscription of the ruler of Wankaner's name on the centre of this lower tray is obscured suggesting that the upper tray and bottle and lower tray were made separately and attached later, perhaps to make a more impressive gift.
Provenance
Presented to King Edward VII, when Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76 by Banesinhji Jaswantsinhji, Raj Sahib of Wankaner.
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Creator(s)
(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Category
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Alternative title(s)
Attardan
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Place of Production
Gujarat [India]