Large, Northern Indian or Deccan Silver Platter (Thali), Inscribed & Dated 1756

This large tray or thali is of hammered silver and has been superbly chased and engraved with floral and geometric designs in the central roundel as well as the outer border.

Additionally, the outer rim is decorated with a fine band of petal-like depressions.

The rest of the platter has been left plain, providing a pleasing contract with the decorated sections.

A smaller silver tray but with similar chasing is illustrated in Zebrowski (1997, p. 44) and which is attributed to 17th or 18th century Deccan.

It is possible, that following Zebrowski, the platter here dates to the 17th century. An 18th century dating is also feasible.

The tray has an ownership inscription in Devanagari or a related script engraved to the reverse giving the name of ‘Shree…Nagpar…Seth(?)’ and with a date that is the equivalent of 1756. This is an ownership mark probably applied later and not necessarily the date the tray was made.  The tray either dates to this year or is earlier.

Overall, this is an excellent and large example of Mughal or Deccan silver-work from the 17th-18th century. The ownership mark is helpful to in establishing the latest the platter was made.