AN INDIAN SILVER WINE OR SPIRIT FLASK (CHUSKI)
India, late 19th century

Of typical compressed bulbous shape, resting on a gently splayed circular foot, rising to a thin tapering neck surmounted by a dome-shaped lid with a bird finial, the finely spiralling handle and s-shaped spout positioned to the sides each decorated with applied silver birds, the spout featuring a stopper attached to a chainlet, the body gadrooned and the neck engraved with a fretwork band, 15.5cm high.

For two similar Indian silver chuskis, though earlier in date, please see Christiane Terlinden, Mughal Silver Magnificence, 16th-19th Century, 1987, pp. 119 - 120, cats. 162 and 163.