Images(4)

bottle

Object NameEnameled Bottle

Made FromGlass

Dateabout 1725-1750

Techniquemold blown, gilded, enameled

SizeOverall H: 13 cm, W: 6.2 cm; Rim Diam: 2.2 cm

Accession Number59.1.583

Curatorial Area(s)

Early Modern

Exhibitions

Bonds: Glass Bonds

Interpretive Notes

Web Text

The Mughal emperors were great patrons of art. They established royal workshops that produced a wealth of masterpieces. Paintings of the imperial court depict opulent settings, with ornate wine decanters, bottles, cups, salvers, and water pipes. Some glass bottles were imported from Europe, but others were manufactured in India. The Indian origin of this bottle is shown by the costumes of the maidens and the style of the floral decoration painted on the glass. Bottles of this type were probably made on the Kathiawar Peninsula of Gujarat during the early 18th century or slightly later. The colorful decoration was applied with gilding and polychrome enamel. The Corning bottle may have belonged to a set that was placed in a traveling case.

Place Made

perhaps Europe; India (painted)

Physical DescriptionClear glass with gray tinge; mold blown, gilded and enameled; rectangular bottle with slight concave base and rough pontil mark, sloping shoulder, short cylindrical neck spreading to slightly irregular plain rim; diagonal mold mark at base; extensively gilded and enameled: ladies in multicolored garments facing each other, turned to the left, the left one turned backwards; the spaces in between are filled with golden branches, trees and flowers; on opposite side a similar lady seated on a chair and receiving a little boy, again spaces filled with branches and flowers; the two other panels contain large flowers and leaf sprays; on the shoulder a band of blossoms and leaves arranged in a geometric pattern, the panels being framed by fish bone bands, the shoulder band has strips containing triangles and little leaves, the neck has vertical dashes, horizontal band and another band around the rim all in gold.
Provenance

Provenance Remark

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