Double-walled dish, mother-of-pearl and brass

Gujarat was famous in the 16th and 17th century for its work with mother-of-pearl, either inlaid or mounted using metal pins. The pieces were made for export to both the Ottoman and the Portuguese market and were also prized by the Mughal court.

The shimmering mother-of-pearl covered many types of objects, since it was possible to fit the little plaques onto very different kinds of surfaces, from flat trays to spoons to snail-shaped powder horns.

A larger repertoire of plaques was used for the dish to form a flower-like pattern in the center.