A TANJORE SILVER-INLAID COPPER VASE AND TWO LOTAS
Thanjavur (Tanjore), Tamil Nadu, Southern India, late 19th - early 20th century

Comprising a cylindrical vase with flared waist, resting on a flat circular base engraved with a large lotus flower medallion, rising to a protruding, reinforced rim, the exterior decorated with overlapping bands of vegetal and figural motifs overlaid in silver sheets, the figural row featuring the ten avataras of the Hindu God Vishnu, 8cm diam. and 9cm high; and two miniature lotas (water vessels), one decorated with oval medallions of baby Krishna dancing on a snake and the latter with a grid of stylised flower heads, each approx. 4.5cm diam. and 8.5cm high.