Collectible Vintage Indian Brass Surahi
The surahi — the tall-necked brass vessel with a curved spout — was the pouring piece in South Asian households for centuries. Water, rosewater, ceremonial drinks at weddings. The shape is designed to pour slowly, deliberately. Not to be rushed. This surahi is over 80 years old, solid brass, hand-engraved...
The Craft
Hand-Hammering
Raised from a flat sheet under thousands of hammer blows, the dimpled surface a record of the making.
Cutwork
Openwork lace pierced clean through the metal by hand with a fine needle.
Engraving / Qalamzani
Cut into the metal line by line with a fine steel chisel, the qalam.
Naqsheen
Floral and geometric patterns chased into the surface freehand by the naqash.
Used in this pieceSand Casting
Molten brass poured into a sand mould packed by hand, then broken open to free the piece.