Indian Puja Water Silver Vessel

Ritual Water Silver Vase (Kalasha)

This very fine water vase is of high-grade and possibly pure silver. It has a slightly elongated globular body, a rounded base, a thin neck that opens to a wider mouth. Unusually, the sides have been hammered with slight fluting,

The base is stamped with the word ‘Bombay’ and two other indistinct marks one of which is ‘?F & Co.’ which is the maker’s name. Stamps like these made with metal dyes were used by European-owned forms in colonial India, particularly during the first half of the nineteenth century.

Water vases (

kalashas) like this usually hold water for ritual use. Their wide, lipped mouths also allow for a coconut to be balanced on top, often in conjunction with a coronet of mango leaves, in which case the ensemble is referred to as a purna-kalasha, purna-kumbha or a purna-ghata.

The vase is in excellent condition. It has a fine age and use related patina.