Indian Chalice Form Holy Water Vessel with Incised Inscription

Flared cup on a trumpet foot, wearing a line of script around its waist.

This chalice-form brass holy water vessel with incised inscription is from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the 19th century. Inscriptions incised on Indian brass vessels are often in the regional script and commonly record a name, a date or a dedication, though readings vary from piece to piece. Tall goblet-shaped vessel in dark brown tone with a wide flaring lip and a stepped, ringed foot. Fine incised lines circle the upper body. A band of small, scratched characters runs around the middle, and the surface is worn smooth. It is 3.5 inches high and 3.5 in diameter.

It carries its own caption and refuses to translate.