Deccan Flask

This elegant, Deccan, cast brass flask on a stepped flared foot, is from Bijapur (Vijayapura) in Karnataka. The spherical chamber is ribbed and there are repeating stylized lotus petal designs around the slightly flared neck. Much like Deccan lotas, the shape of the central chamber is probably derived from the earlier use of melons and gourds as water holders, and has retained this pleasing botanical form. Similar lotas can be found on Sotheby’s, Bonhams and in Mark Zebrowski's "Gold, Silver and Bronze from Mughal India", cat.288, p.192.
Flower vases and flasks seemed to have been important part of the culture as they can often be seen on prominent display in Deccan and Mughal paintings, and are also featured in frescoes in palaces of the time.