A square bodied copper jug with a separate lid, makara spout and a handle possibly in the form of a dragon. The surface of the container is decorated with figures of possibly demons, embossed in low relief, surrounded by floral panels. The lid is circular with a floral design embossed in low relief. There is a pointed protrusion in the centre of the lid. Label: two Wellcome labels.
The style of this object is particular, it could be called ‘sub-Tibetan’. Such sub-Tibetan objects are generally crudely made. Many of the figures and ornament decorating this object are not Tibetan, whilst others are, for example the spout and lid. Perhaps sub-Tibetan objects such as this are from Srinagar in Kashmir as here Islamic, Indian and Tibetan decorative arts were all practiced. The figures on this object are of an uncertain identity, in Tibetan art figures are always depicted so as to be clearly identified. Could this be early tourist art? The V & A has similar hybrid objects in its collection.
