Unknown Maker, Indian

This finely wrought object originally served as the lid of a bowl. It belongs to a group of related bowls and plates that have been attributed to the Sultanate of Bijapur, a Muslim state in the Deccan which maintained close ties with Safavid Iran while attempting to remain independent of Mughal power in the north. In the center of the lid's inner surface is the Shi'a version of the Muslim protestation of faith:

There is no god but Allah

Muhammad is the prophet of Allah

Ali is the supporter of Allah

Around the inner rim runs an inscription from the Qu'ran.