Early North Indian Pierced Silver Platter

This large silver-alloy platter is Persian in style but has Indian origins. Indian metalwork including silverwork in the Mughal period (which commenced in 1526) was greatly influenced by Islamic traditions to India’s north, especially Persian metalwork. The motifs on this platter follow closely Persian prototypes.

It has scalloped edges, each of which has a pierced cartouche decorated with a spray of iris blooms. The well of the platter has pierced inner and outer borders decorated with flower blooms. Between these, the platter is engraved with lobed cartouches filled with floral arabesques. The age of the platter is particularly evident here given the wear to the engraving.

The reverse is engraved with a Persian inscription, which is probably an ownership mark. The writing is relatively naive and not fully legible.

The platter is in a fine, stable condition. It shows significant wear and age and being early and Persian-influenced adds to our knowledge of the development of Indian silverware.