Indian Chalice Form Holy Water Vessel

Black-brown cup with a narrow waist and a skirt-like foot.

This chalice-form holy water vessel is from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the 19th century. It is brass. Karnataka has a long history of brass work, and ritual vessels were made there for both temple use and household worship. The foot spreads wide in a smooth trumpet shape. A deep, almost black finish dominates, with soft highlights. It is 2 inches high and 2.3 in diameter.

Sleek, shadowy and entirely unfussy about it.