Mughal Silver Salver (Thali), Deccan or Northern India, 18th century

Fine Mughal Silver Salver (Thali)

This Deccan/Mughal thali or dish is a particularly fine example. It is also of good weight. The silver content is also high. The well is deep and the lotus-petal sides are more inclined than is usual.

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 either of 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.

The example here is without repairs. It has a fine patina.

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

UK art market