Large iron damascened ewer with various designs on the outer surface including floral, and some Tibetan characters. The handle undecorated on the inside. The neck is rounded and the were has a gutter spout. The main body is bulbous in shape. Inside the jar there is a Chinese character reading 壽 ‘shou’, which means longevity
Much of the decoration has been raised and it is on this raised surface that koftgari work of silver and gold has been applied.
XRF analysis of the base is consistent with bronze (with many trace elements indicative of recycled metal), although on close inspection the base appears to be copper plated with tin. The base is riveted to a bowl which is soldered to the main body. The finish of the base and bowl is not consistent with the rest of the object and these elements may be later additions.
