Title
Ritual water container
Year/Period
19th-20th centuries
Region
Tamil Nadu, South India
Object Type
Material
Technique
Dimension
Object size: H7.5 x D8 cm
Accession No.
1995-03382
Collection of
This is a 'pancha patiram' or water container, which is used along with other ritual articles for daily puja (worship) at home as well as in temples. Every article of use during daily rituals in 'shodashopachara' (16 ways of worship) is purified by pouring water from this water container using an 'achamani' or ceremonial spoon (see1995-03388). Water pot of this type are produced by casting two metals in one form. The inlay is hammered into the main body then refined and finished with decorative patterns. This technique of metal inlay is called 'ganga-jamani', inspired by the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna.
