AN ENGRAVED COPPER PAPERWEIGHT AND TWO COPPER ALLOY MINIATURE PRINTING BLOCKS
Possibly India, 19th century

Comprising a copper paperweight in the shape of a dome with tapering and pointy finial at the top, bulbous body in the centre, and stepped circular base, the design reminiscent of Deccani Mir-i Farsh (carpet weights), engraved with two seated courtly figures, one holding a fly-whisk, the latter a bottle, with poetic naskh inscriptions around the base, 7.5cm high; and two miniature printing blocks or openwork seals, attached to each other via a later-added chainlet, one with Arabic letters, the latter with a geometric pattern, the largest 3.5cm x 1.5cm.