Bowl - Copper - Rare - Lota - 18/19th century

Rare
Lota (ritual vase / sacred water vessel)
Northern India (Uttar Pradesh or Himachal Pradesh)
19th century
Copper alloy (brass/bronze) worked in repoussé, chased and engraved
Height: 16 cm | Maximum diameter: 17 cm

The iconography deftly unites the divine world (Ganesha, Hanuman) with princely imagery of late Rajputan or Mughal culture (hunting scenes, horsemen and state elephants). This type of vessel was used both in religious rites of ablutions/ablutionary rites (abhisheka) and for preserving the sacred water of the Ganges (Gangajali) within an aristocratic household.

Spherical vessel with a short flared neck, ending in a plane lip inclined outward. The markedly globular body expands to its maximum diameter of 17 cm before narrowing to a circular flat base, at the center of which are incised concentric circles. The entire exterior surface bears a richly historiated decoration, organized in registers architecturally framed by poly­lobed arches bordered by twisted braids and beaded motifs.

The upper lip takes the form of a circular frieze of punched/engraved motifs in a circle. On the body, five large lobed medallions host mythological and court scenes in high relief (obtained by repoussé hammering from the interior, then fine chasing on a fully guilloché background).

Ganesha: The elephant-headed god standing/dancing with four arms, wearing the naga-yajnopavita (sacred serpent cord), holding his ritual attributes (ankusha, parashu, bowl of laddu).

Hanuman: The monkey god in heroic posture (alīḍhasana), holding his mace (gada) in one hand and, in the other, the hill Dronagiri containing the life-restoring herb (Sanjeevani).

Garuda subduing the Naga: The mythical bird-man, Vishnu’s vehicle, depicted in motion, with wings spread and firmly restraining a serpent (Naga) standing before him.

Royal Procession on Elephant: A prince or dignitary seated in a howdah (dais) on a caparisoned elephant, guided by his mahout holding the elephant hook.

Armored Cavalier: A northern Indian courtly warrior in attire, galloping and brandishing a curved saber (tulwar).

Divine Figure / Seated Prince: A figure enthroned, holding a ritual attribute or scepter beneath an ornamental arch.

The lower part of the belly is emphasized by a continuous frieze of stylized lotus petals (padmapitha) blooming toward the base. This vase fully embodies the tradition of ritual art-metalwork from 18th–19th century North India. The repoussé technique is developed to a remarkable degree of mastery, with the volumes of the figures emerging powerfully from the metal wall, while the surface chasing provides great precision to the details of garments, caparacons and jewelry.

Condition: Beautiful brown and golden patina of wear. Surface wear and several dents of use at the base, belly and rim.