Indian Holy Water Vessel with Handle and Stamped Inscription

Softly, a shallow dark pan with a hollow handle, wearing its patina proudly.

This brass holy water vessel with handle and stamped inscription is from Karnataka, South India, and dates to the 19th century. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc that has long been used in South India for temple vessels and household ware, often cast or hammered and then decorated. Offered here, a wide, shallow bowl in dark brown, with a flat base ring and a single hollow cylindrical handle at one side. A few faint marks show along the side. The finish is smooth, with a muted sheen and darker patches. It is 6.5 inches wide, 4.23 deep and 1.6 high.

A modest little pan that has seen things and won't tell.