Mughal or Deccan Silver Perfume Set (Attardan)

This fine silver perfume box (attardan) which encloses six silver scent bottles (batua) is from northern India or the central Deccan area. The silver used in this set is essentially pure and and so of a higher grade silver than even sterling silver.

The box is of rectangular form, stands on four circular feet, and has a raised, hinged cover. There is a latch on the front which would have allowed the box to be locked to protect the costly scents inside.

The box is chased on all sides and the cover with bands of flower motifs, leaving a plain central band, to provide a pleasing contrast between the worked and unworked.

An inscription in Persian (the Arabic script used in northern India) is on one side of the box. Almost certainly this is an ownership mark. Such marks were important in complex households to show who owned what and to make the lines of inheritance clear.

The interior has a silver plate with six holes in which the six scent bottles rest. The stopper of each is decorated with a silver flower and similar flowers decorate the spaces between the bottles. Each stopper is attached to a long spoon with a small scoop at the end to allow the perfume to be ladled out.

The set is in fine condition – there are no  losses or repairs.