Indian Vessel with Ring Handles

A row of rosettes, and a ring on either side in case someone needs help lifting.

This vessel with ring handles is copper, from India, 18th century. Big copper pots have long served Indian kitchens, temples and households for water and communal cooking, which accounts for their size. The deep rounded body is dark and hammered all over, with a broad band at the top carrying embossed rosettes. Heavy rings hang from loops at the rim. The interior looks silvery, flecked with small copper circles. It is 36 inches wide, 32 deep and 27.5 high.

Soup for everyone, or nothing at all.