Exceptionally Fine Kashmir Silver Claret Jug

This splendid jug intended for claret is of particularly high-grade silver. It has been worked all over in what has become known as the ‘Yarkand‘ decoration using the ‘Mosaic pattern’ in both high and low relief. This incorporates both chinar (plane tree) leaves and kunj or boteh motifs.

The neck has a blank armorial shield, on one side.

The form of the vessel is a flattened spherical base with a tapering neck, and an undulating mouth matched with a domed, hinged lid. The handle appears to be based on a snake but now in highly stylised form. The jug sits on a low-ring foot.

The sister vessel of this example is illustrated in Wilkinson (1999, p. 116) and in the Minneapolis Museum of Art.

The jug is in excellent condition. The purity of the silver used in this piece is most marked. It is particularly refined particularly compared with later examples which are far lesser imitations.