A BIDRI SILVER-INLAID LONG-NECKED FLASK (SURAHI)
Bidar, Deccan, Central India, early 19th century

Of globular shape, on a flared circular foot, rising to a narrow cylindrical tall neck and a gently everted circular mouth, the decoration on the exterior consisting of a large band filled with a vegetal leafy grid filled with rosettes framed within two shorter bands with palmettes, the same motifs repeated on the neck, petal-shaped decoration to the base, 29.5cm high.

An analogous surahi in the same shape of ours is published in Mark Zebrowski's book, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, 1997, cat. 285, p. 191.