A rare miniature gem-set gold Shrine
Southern India, 19th Century
Southern India, 19th Century
finely cast and chased in the form of a throne, with a raised dais on four splayed feet, surmounted by a detachable gold umbrella with a collar of pearls and fringed with gold pendant discs, decorated with rubies, emeralds, diamonds and pearls in boteh and floral motifs, the raised dais chased with a lotus, each petal etched with a peacock feather, radiating outwards to create a mandala on which a small figure of the deity would be placed for worship
9.3 x 7.9 x 13 cm.; 202g
9.3 x 7.9 x 13 cm.; 202g
Sold for
£4,800
inc. premium
Footnotes
- The dais follows the characteristic form of the Indo-Islamic throne, as seen in the Mughal and Rajesthani thrones in miniature paintings. It would have been made for the private worship of a nobleman or wealthy merchant. It might have held a diminutive image of Vishnu, a Vishnupad, a shaligram or a Siva linga, though such a richly decorated shrine might be more suitable for representing Vishnu rather than the ascetic god Siva.
Category: Islamic and Oriental Art / Islamic and Indian Art
Auction terms and conditions