Indian SilverPuja Ewer Lota

Miniature Silver Ritual Ewer (Jhari)

Silver vessels such as this example were used in the morning by Hindus to perform their ritual ablutions on their deities. Just as it was normal for a person to bathe at sunrise, the household and temple deity images also would be bathed and a vessel such as this was used in wealthier households to pour water over the household’s images for their morning bath.

This example, in high-grade, beaten silver stands on a flared foot, has a broad, curved rim, and a prominent narrow spout. The edge of the foot is crinkled from use, although the degree of this is perhaps exaggerated by the photography. This crinkling could be readily hammered out but we have chose to leave it in its current state as evidence of the item’s age and wear from

puja use. There are no holes, splits, body dents or repairs.

UK art market

Terlinden, C., Mughal Silver Magnificence, Antalga, 1987.