Serving pot

Late 19th – early 20th century Origin: Kashmir Material: Copper with tin plating and black enamel Design: Shawl tarah This Kashmiri copper vessel functions primarily as a serving pot unlike the samovar, which contains a central fire chamber and is used to prepare and keep tea hot. Its tall body, domed lid, pronounced spout and elaborate handle give it the character of a teapot, while remaining distinctly rooted in Kashmiri metalwork. The surface is organised into horizontal ornamental bands, filled with finely engraved flower and coriander leaf patterns and framed by narrow borders. Particularly distinctive is the middle band of repeated cusped arch forms, which recalls the rhythmic borders found on historic Kashmiri shawls. Here, the vocabulary of textile ornament is translated into metal, producing a surface that moves between architecture, textile and vessel. The elaborate handle and long, curved spout further emphasise the object as a refined serving vessel. Private collection: Trām and Beyond

Not for Sale