An Indian almandine garnet bowl, 17th Century.

The small bowl, of almost hemispherical form, is shown on the left of the accompanying image. 4cm diameter.

It was almost certainly from Cambay on the west coast of India, which then, as now, was the centre of the Indian hardstone industry.

It appears in the 1690 Devonshire Schedule, or Deed of Gift, an inventory recording a huge bequest from Elizabeth, Countess of Devonshire (1619-1689), to her daughter Anne, Countess of Exeter (1649-1703).

Under the heading ‘Cornelian Coralls, Garnetts and other Stones’ appears ‘a Round Garnett Cupp.’

REFERENCE: EWA08535

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