A CEREMONIAL FLASK SURMOUNTED BY SILVER LIONS
Rajasthan, North-Western India, first half 20th century

Reminiscent in shape of Ottoman mataras and pilgrim's flasks, with an oblong curved and compressed body wrapped in red-dyed cotton fabric, resting on a splayed oval silver foot, with a variety of silver mounts including the central stepped and pierced roundel with a lotus flower in the centre and a row of palmette leaves to the edge; two seated silver lions resting on the shoulders; and a tubular neck with a domed, chhajja-like stopper, the chainlet secured to the base of the neck, 35.3cm high.