Spoon
Mughal or Deccan, India
17th Century

Carved from nephrite jade (translucent pale greenish grey off-white) in the shape of a large leaf, most of which has been rolled and twisted to form the handle.
The interior bowl of this rare spoon is carved thinly into lobes, the outer pair of which curve over at the rim where they meet to merge into a cup which then further tapers into a handle.
The slender handle, carved with spiral ribs in a twisted rope like design, has a slight curve, skilfully adapting what otherwise would be a straight stem into one that fits into the hand.
The bowl which has a large acanthus leaf carved in relief on the under-side and the handle all appear to have been carved from a single block of jade.
Although spoons were considered important items of court ceremonial by the Mughals, very few survive. Mughal spoons of imperial quality such as this one are extremely rare.