Indian Wood Crop Seeder

A flat-topped cup with a ruffle of beads, on a many-sided block.

This carved wood crop seeder is from Maharashtra, India, and dates to the early 20th century. Seed drills with several hollow tubes feeding seed behind a plowshare have been used in India for a very long time, and early forms are well documented. A shallow dish with a straight rim sits above a band of beads and petal-like fluting. Beneath it a thick, multi-sided base with a hollowed edge gives a sturdy footing. The surface is warm brown, scratched and rubbed smooth. It is 6 inches high and 5 in diameter.

Ornament at the top, plain muscle at the bottom.