Cruets

This pair of cruets with circular bases is executed entirely in silver and crowned with the letters A and V. The letters A (Aqua/ water) and V (Vinum/wine) were included when the containers began to be fashioned from non-transparent materials.
It is profusely decorated in engraved plant motifs that completely cover the surface of the cruet flasks and the oblong tray that supports them. Such completeness of decoration is indicative of the typical Indian horror vacui.
Of interest are the flask handles which simulate snakes, clearly an Indian inspiration; their S-shape was also very common in Portuguese silverware from the 17th century onwards.
An identical late 19th century pair from Daman may be found in the Church of Our Lady of Mercy in Portugal’s Santarém diocese; it once belonged to the first Bishop of Daman.