An enamelled and gem set gold spoon, probably Hyderabad, Deccan, India, 1800-1850

Lot 97. An enamelled and gem set gold spoon, probably Hyderabad, Deccan, India, 1800-1850; 4 ½ in. (11.4 cm.) long, ¾ in. (1.8 cm.) wide. Estimate GBP 50,000 - GBP 70,000 (USD 64,250 - USD 89,950). © Christie's Images Ltd 2019. 

Set with diamonds and a large emerald, the sides and back decorated with green and red enamelled floral designs.

Exhibited: The Miho Museum, Koka 2016, p.158, no,122
Grand Palais, Paris 2017, p.208, no.157
The Doge’s Palace, Venice 2017, p.231, no.159
The Palace Museum, Beijing 2018, p.253, no.162.

Note: This spoon has unusual features such as the diamonds, which are mounted on an open backed setting, as well as the large emerald that makes up the bowl. Some jewels with a similar feature have been traced to the Deccan, which is where this spoon may have been made. It has also been suggested that this was an opium spoon (Beijing, 2015, p.253, no. 162).

Christie's. Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets, London, 24 October 2019