Lot 259: AN INDIAN GOLD-INLAID KOFTGARI STEEL ARCHER THUMB RING ZIHGIR WITH ROYAL INSCRIPTION, LATE 18TH - EARLY 19TH CENTURY

AN INDIAN GOLD-INLAID KOFTGARI STEEL ARCHER THUMB RING ZIHGIR WITH ROYAL INSCRIPTION, LATE 18TH – EARLY 19TH CENTURY

An archer’s thumb ring, or zihgir, made of forged steel with gold wire inlay. The exterior surface is decorated with a continuous hunting scene, known as shikargah, executed in the koftgari technique. The scene depicts a hunter on horseback aiming a composite bow, along with gazelles and a leopard attacking prey amidst floral and foliate patterns. Two domed pavilions with lattice details are also depicted. The interior of the ring features a recessed rectangular cartouche with a gold-inlaid inscription in a script. The inscription consists of three lines of characters that spell the words Shah-i Alam, Sultan, and Selim. Four small gold stars or crosses are positioned at the corners within the cartouche border. The metal has a dark patinated finish throughout.

L: 4cm