Indian Deccan or Mughal Silver Dish

Very Fine Deccani Silver Thali

This Deccan/Mughal thali or dish is one of the finest examples of this type that we have seen. It is of thicker gauge silver than most. The silver content is particularly high. The well is deeper than most with the lotus-petal sides being more inclined than is usual. The patina and colour also is particularly pleasing – the photograph provides a good indication of the depth of colour of the silver.

The

thali is of beaten silver and has been chased and engraved with a central lotus flower medallion. It is bordered by double fluted bands of scalloped lotus petal niches and a lipped rim. Double rows of fluting is characteristic of the silversmithing work undertaken in Pune and the surrounding region.Thalis such as this were used at elaborate Deccan and Mughal feasts. Each guest was served with his own thali, made of either silver or gold. Originally, precious metals were preferred as they were believed to detect poison. Later, they were preferred simply for reasons of ostentation.

A

thali of almost identical form and design is in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum and illustrated in Terlinden (1987, p. 104). A similar but larger thali is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, (inventory no. AC1999.248.1) and is illustrated in Arts of Asia, July-August, 2002, p. 32.References:

Terlinden, C., Mughal Silver Magnificence, Antalga, 1987.