A Mughal Glass Bottle

A rectangular shaped opaque moulded and blown glass bottle with polychrome gilt decoration of floral patterns and figurative scenes on four sides and the neck. One panel depicts a woman seated on an elaborately carved chair, arranging her coiffure, with one leg raised onto the chair. The opposite panel shows a man seated on a throne chair, in front of him is a standing woman whose face he holds in his right hand. The turbaned man wears a long caftan tied with a belt whilst the woman in both panels is depicted in an Indian costume. Both figures are depicted in profile, set against a dense, ornamental gilt foliage. The style of composition is entirely Indian in style. The two other panels depict blue irises amongst floral gilt decorative motifs. The iris was popularly depicted in Mughal arts.
For similar examples, see Victoria & Albert Museum, museum number VAM 1819a-1855; Corning Museum of Glass, New York, no. 5a.1.583; The Al-Sabah Collection, Kuwait, LNS428Gb.