Zoomorphic Ewer

Mid–late 18th to early 19th century (c. 1750–1820) Origin : Kashmir Material: Copper with tin plating A finely crafted Kashmiri rosewater sprinkler cast and chased in the form of a bird, combining sculptural presence with functional design. The surface is densely ornamented with hand-chased vegetal and foliate motifs, reflecting the refined Persianate aesthetic that shaped Kashmiri courtly arts. The bird form may allude to local symbolic traditions, including associations with purity, and auspiciousness, while the serpent-like detailing recalls Kashmir’s deep-rooted Nāga symbolism connected to water. Such objects were used for sprinkling rosewater during gatherings and ceremonial occasions, combining ritual function with expressive artistry. The fully three-dimensional bird form reflects a period when Kashmiri metalwork was still strongly connected to courtly and ritual production. Rose-water sprinklers of sculptural animal or bird forms like this are more commonly documented in 18th-century court culture across Kashmir and the Indo-Persian world. The ornament remains firmly within a Persian and Central Asian aesthetic, without colonial design intrusions that often appear after 1850. Private collection - Trām and Beyond

Not for Sale