Indian Bronze Lota Water Vessel with Incised Decoration, Late 19th–Early 20th C.

Description

This is a traditional Indian bronze lota, a form of water and ritual vessel widely used across the Indian subcontinent for domestic, ceremonial, and ablutionary purposes. Examples of this type were commonly produced in Central and Eastern India during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, where bronze lotas formed part of everyday religious and household practice.

The vessel has been shaped in bronze using a combination of lathe turning and hand finishing. This is evident in the tightly concentric horizontal striations that run across the body, particularly visible in the mid-section, alongside subtle overlaps and irregularities consistent with manual turning rather than industrial machining. A band of hand-incised triangular motifs encircles the shoulder, cut after forming rather than cast, reinforcing its functional rather than sculptural origin.

The rolled rim shows controlled thickness and even wear, while the applied side ring lug has been forged separately and brazed to the body, a practical feature used for handling, suspension, or securing the vessel when in use. The base is finished with a cross-hatched circular medallion, a common utilitarian detail seen on lotas intended for repeated daily handling rather than purely ritual display.

Although the surface patination and earthy tonality can initially suggest tribal or Dhokra (lost-wax) casting traditions, the construction, turning marks, and finishing techniques are more consistent with lathe-worked bronze vessels produced for everyday use. The overall form, weight, and tooling point to a date in the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, rather than an earlier tribal casting.

The vessel retains a deep, stable patina developed through long use, giving it strong sculptural presence while remaining an authentic example of traditional Indian metalwork.

Dimensions

• Height: approx. 13 cm
• Diameter: approx. 14 cm
• Weight: 1.0 kg

Condition

Good antique condition. Surface wear, patination, and minor abrasions consistent with age and use. No cracks or structural repairs observed. The ring lug is intact and secure.