Date

Materials

Description

A small brass pot painted blue and red and etched with intricate floral designs. The pot is quite small and squat, with a larger opening and a flared rim that narrows down into a short neck then flares outward again into a globular body with a rounded, slightly carinated midsection. The underside of the rim is painted red with a pattern of small vertical stripes encircling it. Underneath this, the pot is painted blue and covered with a variety of small leaves and branches enclosed by some horizontal lines. The section under this is the largest part and painted red, with the same floral design covering the surface and a few more flowy elements. The last section is painted blue and is engraved with a more grass-like pattern. 

While there is no indication of where exactly this pot is from and when it was made, based on the use of brass and the style of the detailed etchings, it is likely that this pot is Indian or Indian-inspired. The floral patterns with the weaving branches and leaves is a common motif found on Indian artwork, particularly within the realms of textiles and metalworking. This specific pattern originated in Persia, then the Mughals adopted it as a motif in the ornamentation of textiles. In addition, the small patterns of lines that break up the design are common on Indian brass pots and other brass objects from the 1960s. Metalworking in India is important for various cultural, economic, and religious reasons. However, with increasing globalization and tourism over the decades, brass casters and other artists have been pushed to take objects that had ritual or religious significance and turn them into objects of commercial value.

Marks/Labels

“80.5.485” written in black pen on the base.

Category