Basin with Stylized Lotus Blossoms

Unknown

17th century · Marble · Islamic Art

Lyrical patterns of stylized lotus blossoms flanked by leaf forms comprise the upper and lower bands of this nearly square marble basin. The profile of the basin itself suggests the shape of an opening lotus bud. These motifs recall monuments commissioned by the emperor Jahangir (r. 1605–27) and his son Shah Jahan (r. 1628–58), whose floral style was popular throughout northern India, in both the Mughal and Rajput realms.

Artist

Unknown

Date

17th century

Medium

Marble

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Louis E. and Teresa S. Seley Purchase Fund for Islamic Art and Elizabeth S. Ettinghausen Gift, in memory of Richard Ettinghausen, 1984