4700

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    Inscribed, Bronze Spouted Lota

    Kerala, South India
    17th century

    height: 13.8cm, length: 14cm, weight: 1,068g

    Sold

    Provenance

    private collection, UK

    – scroll down to see further images –

    This beautiful bronze lota has obvious age and a superb dark brown patina. It has a spherical body, a low foot, a short neck which opens to a wide mouth, and a wonderful ‘S’-shaped spout that is gadrooned and which ends with a dragon or makara-like terminal.

    The body, foot and rim are delicately engraved with fine bands of petals and other motifs.

    The body is further engraved with a line of script in what appears to be Devanagari script. The base also has a shorty inscription, possibly in Malayalam script.

    Such a lota would have been reserved for ritual purposes, for holding and dispensing holy water.

    The vessel has minor dents and imperfections associated with age and use. It is very well cast and has and excellent patina achievable only with significant age.

    References

    Zebrowski, M., Gold, Silver & Bronze from Mughal India, Alexandria Press, 1997.

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