A RARE MUGHAL WHITE JADE CARVED 'GOOSE HEAD' FLASK Northern India, 18^th century. Of mango-form terminating in a goose head with garnet-inlaid eyes, its neck arching toward the vessel. The ribbed body within neatly carved foliate borders, the matching ruby-inlaid lotus bud-form stopper is screwed into the neck. The goose neck and shoulder of the flask with bands of inlaid garnets. The translucent stone is of a fine white tone with areas of pale russet and cloudy inclusions.

Provenance: Collection Française particulière.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, minuscule nibbling to the mouth and screw. The stone with natural inclusions and fissures, some of which have developed into small hairline cracks over time.

Weight: 200.9 g
Dimensions: Height 12.3 cm

Literature comparison:
Compare a related jade wine cup, once owned by Shah Jahan, dated 1657, terminating in a ram's head in a similar manner to the goose head on the present lot, in the collection of the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number IS.12-1962. Compare a related Chinese imperial Mughal-style white jade cup, similarly terminating in a goose head, at Christie's London, 11 November 2003, lot 68.