Aiguière "Aftabé"

A North India or Deccani brass chiselled brass ewer, 16th-17th century With a pear-shaped body on a pedestal, shouldered by a long spout and a zoomorphic handle connecting to a domed lid and knob. In gilded brass, chased with mandorles and vegetal friezes on a black patina. Ownership mark at the base of the neck. Condition: lid detached. Regravé posteriorly. Size: 34.5 x 18 cm Provenance : French private collection, before 1980. Bibliography : Zebrowski. Gold, silver & bronze from Mughal India. Alexandria Press in association with Laurence King. London, 1997, figs. 177, 178, 189, 191, 196, 197, 272. This ewer can be compared with several pyriform models with very elongated necks produced in North India in the 16th century (Zebrowski, 1997, Figs. 189, 196, 197, 272, and Christie's, April 27, 2017, no. 70). However, its squat belly is more unusual and tends towards an early 16th century date, as does the treatment of the makara heads (Zebrowski, Fig. 171). Such models seem to have been produced as early as the 15th century, as evidenced by Hans Memling's The Annunciation, painted around 1465-70, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. 17.190.7). The unusual foliate decoration was probably created later. This ewer is similar to several pear-shaped models with very elongated necks produced in North India in the 16th century (Zebrowski, 1997, Figs 189, 196, 197, 272, and Christie's, 27 April 2017, no. 70). However, its squat body is more unusual and tends towards an early 16th-century date, as does the treatment of the makara heads (Zebrowski, Fig. 171). Models of this kind seem to have been produced as early as the 15th century, as can be seen in The Annunciation, a painting by Hans Memling, painted around 1465-70, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (inv. 17.190.7). The unusual foliate decoration was probably added later.