Perfume Bottle

Museum of Islamic Art

Currently on view at Museum of Islamic Art

Title:: Perfume Bottle

Production place:: India
Date:: 1740 - 1760
Period:: Mughal

Material:: Ruby, Emerald, Turquoise, Gold, Pearl, Foil, Solder
Technique:: Gem setting, Cabochoning, Soldering
Dimensions:: 11.5 × 2.9 cm

This exquisite perfume bottle is designed as a gem-set fish, entirely decorated with uncut rubies, emeralds, turquoise and pearls. The tip of the small bottle opens with a screw cap. It was most probably meant to contain perfume or a powder for cosmetic use. Jewelled objects from the Mughal period, such as this perfume bottle, were commissioned for the courtly elite and would probably have been worn attached to a belt or around the neck.