Indian Chalice Form Holy Water Vessel

Mottled bronze with a soft curve and a handsome flaring mouth.

This chalice-form holy water vessel is from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the 19th century. It is brass. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc that is generally cast or hammered, and it develops a darker tone with age. Footed cup with a deep curved bowl and a lip that rolls outward. The surface is a mix of coppery brown and silvery gray patches, softly worn. A small stem leads to a stepped foot. It is 3.1 inches high and 3 in diameter.

Looks like it has been telling stories for ages.