This octagonal plate was likely made for serving betel nut quids, sweetmeats, and other delicacies, or for presenting ceremonial offerings. It is manufactured with the combined techniques of inlaid silver sheet (tehnishan) and silver wire (tarkashi). The primary decoration consists of a central field and concentric bands of conventionalized floral motifs, which alternate with bands of floriated scrolling vines and bead borders. The distinctive tall flowerheads are formed by overlapping segmented petals with dotted midrib venation, triple stamens, and asymmetrical sepals. The complex omnidirectional bouquet of flowers in the epicenter emanates along the horizontal and vertical axes. There is a tiered rim formed by a concave cavetto that transitions to a flat outer border.
Bidri-ware evolved in the Deccan region of south-central India in the early 15th century. Used to fashion a wide range of palatial and personal objects, it is made from a predominately zinc-based alloy, along with smaller amounts of lead, copper, and/or tin. The production of bidri-ware flourished at Bidar and Hyderabad from the late 16th through the 19th century, achieving its artistic zenith between c. 1650 to c. 1725. By the late 18th and 19th centuries, bidri-ware was also produced at Muslim courts in northern India, principally at Purnea in Bihar, Murshidabad in West Bengal, and Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.