Finial in the Form of a Parrot

Unknown

17th–18th century · Brass · Islamic Art

The strong sculptural traditions of pre-Islamic India continued to some extent during the later period, when figural elements such as this parrot were used as finials and other types of embellishment. The informal choice of subject and the simplicity of style suggest that this piece probably belonged in a provincial, rather than imperial, court setting. Ubiquitous in Indian life and often depicted in Mughal and Deccan paintings, parrots were also known in literature of the Mughal period, such as in the Tutinama (Tales of a Parrot).

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th–18th century

Medium

Brass

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Gift of Robert W. and Lockwood De Forest, 1919