Spittoon or Incense Burner

Unknown

late 16th–early 17th century · Brass; cast in sections, joined, engraved · Islamic Art

Such baluster-shaped vessels are seen in paintings from the Deccan and Mughal periods, most often on the ground at a royal gathering or held by an attendant. One is included in the nearby painting Sultan Ibrahim ‘Adil Shah II Venerates a Sufi Saint. The spiral fluting is fairly typical of Deccani metalwork, though surviving examples in this shape are exceedingly rare.

Artist

Unknown

Date

late 16th–early 17th century

Medium

Brass; cast in sections, joined, engraved

Department

Islamic Art

Credit line

Purchase, Friends of Islamic Art Gifts, 2007