Indian Urli or Offering Vessel

Over thirty-two inches across. Nobody was cooking for two.

This urli, or offering vessel, is bronze, from India, and dates to the early 19th century. The catalogue describes such vessels as sand cast and brought out for weddings and religious holidays, to cook sweets over a wood fire, then handed down from mother to daughter. Here the outside is dark and the inside a lighter, greenish gold. Bands circle the swollen body, and a looped handle sits at each end of the rim. Twelve inches high and 32.5 across.

Stainless steel has since taken over the cooking. It has not taken over the looks.