Indian Lotus-Form Basin on Pedestal

A wide white basin with a petal-edged rim and a footed base of overlapping leaves.

This lotus-form basin on pedestal is from India, and is contemporary. It is carved makrana marble. Jaipur is described as the center of marble carving in Rajasthan, dating to around 250 years ago when the ruler Sawai Jai Singh II moved his capital there and summoned skilled sculptors. The shallow bowl flares at the rim, which is carved with a ring of pointed petals. Below, rounded lobes wrap the body and a tiered stem with leaf carving rests on a round foot. The surface is pale with gray veining and weathering at the base. It is 27 inches high and 29 in diameter.

A flower that grew into furniture.