Mughal Period, Possibly 17th Century
This beautiful hand crafted agate bowl belonged to a western Indian royal family before being acquired by a Japanese collector specializing in Mughal Arts. Heavily influenced by the Mughal Palace arts, a series of such bowls in various gemstones were made for the Mughal emperor Jehangir. These are known collectively as Jehangiri bowls. The present example is lobed and of excellent thinness. It possesses typical russet inclusions for agate of this region. The stylized horse handle has gemstone set eyes (probably ruby or spinel). Raised on a small foot, a stylized lotus-pattern is incised to the the underside. This tradition was emulated by their western Indian Rajput Vassals and a new school of Mughal Rajput Gem art was established of which this bowl is an extremely fine example. Length overall: 4 3/8in