AN ‘ACANTHUS LEAF’ MARBLE BASIN, INDIA, 17TH-18TH CENTURYOf square shape with a stepped base, the shallow sides neatly carved with upward turning acanthus leaves to the exterior walls. The marble of a creamy white tone with distinct gray veins.Provenance: British trade.Condition: Few losses and cracks, small chips, minor old repairs, soil encrustations, and signs of weathering and erosion. Displaying very well, the general conditionmensurate with age. Good patina with a subtle luster and an unctuous feel overall.Weight: 46.7 kgDimensions: Size 52.5 x 52.5 cmThe acanthus leaves design on this basin recalls monumentsmissioned by the Emperor Jahangir (reigned 1605–1627) and his son Shah Jahan (reigned 1628–1658), whose floral style was popular throughout northern India, in both the Mughal and Rajput realms.Literatureparison:Compare a closely related marble basin, 51 cm wide, dated to the 17th century, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 1984.213.