Thali with Durga and Krishna

This is a highly unusual octagonal engraved brass thali or platter from Gujarat. Finely engraved, it shows Goddess Durga in the centre, and surrounding her are the different forms of Krishna, amongst stylised birds and foliate. The outer edge is double dished.
Durga is the Goddess of war, whose mythology centres around combating evils and demonic forces that threaten peace and prosperity. Durga is also a fierce form of the protective mother goddess. Krishna is the god of compassion, tenderness and love, and is one of the most popular and widely revered among Indian divinities. This platter would have been used in puja or worship rituals.