Water Vase (Lota), 17th-18th century
Unknown artist, Indiaexpand_more
Zinc alloy; cast, engraved, and inlaid with silver and brassexpand_more
The Katherine Kittredge McMillan Memorial Fundexpand_more 93.48.1
On View in Gallery 211expand_more
This bulbous vessel merges the classical Indian form of a water vessel with the Persian- inspired type of metal inlay known as Bidri. A popular luxury item under the Islamic Sultanate Kingdoms of the Deccan Plateau (about 1300s–1700s CE), bidriware is unique to the subcontinent. It involves a complicated chemical process in which the base metal is blackened to offset the dazzling pattern of the inlay. Here, the combination of brass and silver inlay, known as ganga-yamuna, refers to respective hues of north India’s two great rivers, the Ganges and the Yamuna, which in Hindu (Brahmanist) traditions are worshipped as goddesses. Floral sprays and fluttering birds further evoke a spirit of bounty.
Details
- Title
- Water Vase (Lota)
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 93.48.1
- Curator Approved
This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.
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