A CAUCASIAN (GEORGIAN) REPOUSSÉ AND ENGRAVED SILVER JUG
Caucasus or Russia, 19th century

Of bulbous shape, resting on a concave circular base, rising to narrow shoulders and a wide and tall cylindrical neck, to the side an S-shaped handle with griffin and dragon-headed terminals, the exterior fully chased in relief with two main decorative registers, on the body cusped cartouches filled with a dragon, bird and animal hunters attacking birds and animals of prey, on the neck vertical figural panels with three courtly musicians, wearing tall pointy caps, long spotted coats and pointy boots, the background of both registers livened by animals and lush vegetal trellis and floral meandering, stamped '88' on the rim, foot and handle, 23cm high, 410g.

This jug seems to successfully blend in a balanced way a real esperanto of motifs, styles and traditions. At a first sight, the jug reminds us of Pre-Islamic Sassanian repoussé silver vessels, often presenting bulbous shapes and animal decorations. The griffin handle is also connected to Pre-Islamic Central Asian civilisations, whilst the dragon terminal is certainly influenced by Mongol canons, often featuring in the Post-Mongol invasion metal production. The Georgian musicians, wearing their traditional costumes, add a local touch to the whole composition, acting as witness of the balanced blend of traditions, religions and cultures taking place in the Central Asian regions of the Islamic world. For a similar Caucasian jug with figural decoration, please see Christie's London, 24 November 2015, lot 445.