Indian Footed Ceremonial Vessel with Floral Motifs and Ring Handles

Every inch that could hold a blossom holds one.

This footed ceremonial vessel with floral motifs and ring handles comes from India and dates to the 20th century. It is hammered and incised copper. Indian metalworkers traditionally raised large vessels from sheet copper by hammering, then finished the surface with incised and chased decoration. A broad band of rosettes wraps the swelling body, edged by zigzag and dotted borders. The vessel narrows to a stem and spreads into a wide bell-shaped foot, also patterned. Two rings hang from the rim, and an arched handle with small cast heads is fixed inside. It is 37 inches wide, 33 deep and 32 high.

A planter would be the polite name for it, and an understatement.