A large and finely engraved brass chambu lota
Benares or Rajasthan, 18th Century
of compressed globular form on a splayed foot, the flaring neck with rope-twist raised-band, with engraved decoration depicting incarnations of Vishnu, symbols associated with Shiva, the Jagannath trio, Nandi, Ganesh and Surya in a horse drawn chariot, the shoulder with a band of inscription in nagari
25.5 cm. diam.
Footnotes:
Inscriptions: a repetition of Jaya Ram, 'Praise Rama'.

Lotas are water vessels employed for washing one's hands at mealtimes or for religious purposes. Their shape is reminiscent of a rounded fruit, presumably derived from the early use of hollowed-out fruit for the purpose of water vases. This particular type of globular lota is called a chambu, the form of which is a flattened sphere with a constricted neck. The chambu is associated with religious ceremonies and the holy city of Benares on the Ganges. It was previously believed that all chambus were made in Benares as containers for Ganges water. However, the presence of inscriptions in southern Indian languages on other examples, in addition to the wide stylistic variations, indicate regional traditions. (M. Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, pp.26, 207-223).

This lota is notable for its unusually large size and the fine quality of its decoration. For a similar but smaller lota dated 1765 see M. Zebrowski, Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India, London, 1997, p. 213, no. 336.