Photographs by Corrado Serra
Left: Bidri Ewer, mid-17th century, Zinc alloy; cast, engraved, inlaid with silver and brass. Right: Pear-Shaped Bidri Ewer (Aftaba) with Flowering Trees, 17th century, Zinc alloy inlaid with brass and silver
Installation view
Left: Incense burner in shape of an octagonal shrine, 17th century, Brass. Right: Two Black Stone Carpet Weights, mid-17th century, Stone
Left: Dagger with Zoomorphic Hilt, second half 16th century, Hilt: copper; cast, chased, gilded, and inlaid with rubies. Blade: steel; forged. Right: Dagger with a Zoomorphic Hilt, mid-16th century, Hilt: gilded bronze set with rubies Blade: Watered steel
Royal Elephant and Rider Ahmadnagar, 1590–1600 Ink, opaque watercolor, and gold on paper
Illumination in the Form of a Vase, early 17th century, Ink, opaque watercolor and gold on paper
Left to right: Square Diamond Pendant on Pearl Necklace, late 18th century, Diamonds, pearls. Guluband (Choker Necklace) or Bazuband (Upper Armband), late 18th century, Diamonds, pearls, gold and enamel. String of Pearls, late 18th century, Pearls, diamonds, gold, and enamel. Crescent-Shaped Pearl and Diamond Earrings, late 18th century, Diamonds, pearls, gold, and enamel
Installation view
Left to right: Rock-Crystal Knife with Jeweled Parrot, ca. 1600, Steel, gold set with rubies and emeralds, rock crystal. Ring, 17th century, Gold . Locket Pendant in Shape of Shell with Animal-Headed Cap Flanked by a Small Bird on Sides, 17th century, Gold; cast, embossed and engraved, inlayed with turquoise, ruby. Filigree Casket with Sliding Top Probably Goa, 17th century, Parcel-gilt silver filigree
Left: Qur’an Case, dated A.H.1085/1674–5 A.D., Nephrite jade (white, with slight greyish cast), inlaid with gold and set in kundan technique with rubies and emeralds. Center: Writing Box with Lattice and Flower Design, mid-17th century, Wood; overlaid with dyed wool, stamped silver and gilt-copper plaques. Right: Dagger (Kard) with Jade Hilt, ca. 1650–60, Steel, jade set with rubies and gold
Top: Carpet with Lattice Pattern, ca. 1800, Cotton and silk foundation, silk pile. Bottom: The Embassy of Johannes Bacherus en route to the Court of Aurangzeb, ca. 1689, Cotton; painted
Left: Man’s robe (jama), 17th century, Cotton; painted, with applied gold leaf. Center: Reception of a Dutch Ambassador, ca. 1654, Cotton; plain weave, mordant-painted and dyed, resist-dyed
Helmet, ca. 1570–1600, Steel, silver and fabric
Installation view
Installation view
Top left: Panel from a Kalamkari Tent Hanging, 1640–50, Cotton; plain weave, mordant-painted and dyed, resist dyed. Top right: Kalamkari Hanging with Figures in an Architectural Setting, ca. 1640–50, Cotton, plain weave, mordant-painted and dyed, resist-dyed. Bottom left: Garden Fountain, early 17th century, Brass, cast in sections, joined and engraved. Bottom right: Basin, First half of the 17th century, Cast and engraved bronze
Left to right: Crutch Dagger in the Form of a Serpentine Vine, 17th century, Steel; gold. Dagger in the Form of a Bird Holding a Leaf, early 17th century, Steel. Shaffron (Horse’s Head Defense), A.H. 1026/A.D. 1617–18, Steel. Armored Shoes Golconda, second quarter of 17th century, Gilt steel (koftgari). Vambrace, early to mid-17th century, Steel overlaid with gold
Armored Shoes Golconda, second quarter of 17th century, Gilt steel (koftgari)
Installation view
Installation view
Left: Palanquin finial, ca. 1650-1680, Copper; cast and gilded