A gold flask, North India, circa 18th century

of octagonal form with slightly tapering sides and slender columnar neck, the stopper surmounted by lotus bud finial, hammered foliate decoration with incised and hatched details on stamped ground, featuring birds amidst flowering forms issuing from an ovoid jar flanked on either side by tigers within archways

U. Krishnan, and M. Kumar, Dance of the Peacock: Jewellery Traditions of India, Bombay, 2001, p.266, pl.431. 

In good condition generally, minor dents to body as consistent with the medium (gold), very slight dent to the palmette at the top of the lid, engraved number to underside of base: '511.000' and inscription, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This beautiful flask is a rare surviving object composed completely of gold as it was common practice within wealthy Indian households in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to melt down gold in order to re-use it. The scarcity of such objects renders the dating of this piece difficult although the design, centred on a flowering stem with birds and peacocks is comparable to a huqqa base in the Al-Sabah collection, dated to the late sixteenth/early seventeenth century (Keene 2001, p.45, no.3.2). Another interesting comparison in technique and the combination of floral scrolls and peacocks can be made with a cast silver and gilt rosewater sprinkler in the Freer Gallery of Art, Washington D.C, inv. no. F.1990.1. (see Zebrowski 1997, p.41, no.13)