AN INDIAN OR CENTRAL ASIAN PALE CELADON JADE BOWL

17TH/18TH CENTURY

The body divided into wide ribs between rows of stylised lotus flowerheads, with four gold leaf-shaped appliques, the sides with two palmetto-shaped handles, all supported on a circular, gently flared foot. The base with a paper label inscribed: 'taken from the Kaiserbagh or New Palace Lucknow by a Sergeant H.M. 20 Regiment under gen Franks' and '1857', 18.5cm.

Provenance: from the collection of Mrs S W Shaw, d.1957, Berkshire, and thence by descent.

General Sir Thomas Harte Franks (1808-1862) was a Colonel and a CB in March 1858 at the time of the capture of Lucknow by the British troops. He was in command of a formation that included the 20th regiment. As a result of the action, on 5th June 1858 Sir Frank was promoted to Major-General and elevated to KCB.

The date '1857' on the label is incorrect, as at the time the 20th was not involved around Lucknow.

Cf. Exquisite Beauty - Islamic Jades, National Palace Museum, pp.36-39 and 124 and 179 for related examples attributed to Middle Asia, India and the Ottoman Empire.