Bezoars (from the Persian pād-zahr meaning ‘poison antidote’) are the calcified concretion found in the stomachs of some animals. Prized for their supposed medicinal properties, until the Enlightenment science at the beginning of the 18th century they could sell for more than their weight in gold.
The perceived importance of bezoar stones (and the similar Goa stones) meant that they were often mounted themselves with gold and silver or encased in spherical filigree boxes.
The example here from early 18th century India came up at Roseberys’ (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) sale of Islamic, Indian Art & Antiquities on October 26. It was formerly in the private collection of the Islamic art dealer Oliver Hoare (1945-2018). The estimate of £1000-1500 was certainly modest (examples sold for £5000 or more are not hard to find) but the hammer price was a punchy £14,000 to a buyer on thesaleroom.com.