Indian Brass Spitoon

Trumpet-mouthed vase with a bulb belly, ringed like a well-dressed neck.

This brass spittoon is from Gujarat, India, and dates to the early 20th century. Gujarat has a long tradition of metalwork, and shaped brass vessels were produced there by casting, hammering and turning for household and ceremonial use. Wide flared mouth narrows to a slim neck with horizontal ridges, then swells into a rounded, spherical belly. A stepped, flaring foot supports it. The mottled brass-gold surface shows soft grey and brown patches of wear. It is 8 inches wide, 8 deep and 9.5 high.

Flares at the top, and not apologetically.