height 15.5cm

The finial consists of four hollow pieces designed to fit over a cylindrical shaft. It could have been from a throne but could equally well have been to decorate a howdah, a royal tent or even for the royal umbrella (chatr), part of the traditional insignia of imperial rule adopted by the Mughals.

P. Moura Carvalho, Gems and Jewels of Mughal India. Jewelled and enamelled objects from the 16th to 20th centuries, The Nasser D. Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, volume XVIII, London 2010, cat.118, p.223. J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.434, p.363.