Exceptional Lucknow Enamelled & Gilded Silver Flask (Surai)

This beautiful silver flask of mallet-form has been finely chased with trellis-like flower motifs, bands of grapes and grape leaves, and a wide band acanthus leaves. It has been decorated with a ground of blue and turquoise enamels and the exposed silver has been gilded. Overall, it is a magnificent and rare piece. It has also been previously published.

It sits on a low, ring foot, and has a domed cover. The cover is attached to the base by means of a double, complex, gilded silver chain.

The flask dates to 18th or early 19th century Lucknow – as suggested by the form, and the motifs used.

Such a flask was used to hold liquids on banqueting occasions, including wine, which was imported to the Mughal north from Persia.

Possibly the colouring for the enamels used in the production of this piece came from ground lapis lazuli in the base of the dark blue, and actual ground turquoise stone in the case of the turquoise enamel.

The flask almost certainly was made for local use, compared with later enamelled silver and brass items produced in Kashmir for the colonial market.

This actual flask is illustrated in Terlinden (1987, p. 115). Curiously, it was photographed with the chains laying before it – one of the loops seems to have come adrift – an easy repair but one that was not made prior to the photographs. Also, the author identifies the flask as being from 18th or early 19th century ‘Kashmir, North-Eastern India and the Mughal Capitals’. We believe that Lucknow is a more likely provenance.

The flask is in fine condition. There is some (very) minor enamel loss and importantly, no dents. This is a museum-worthy piece.