Kutch Silver Rosewater Sprinkler

Chased Silver Rosewater Sprinkler

This pleasing rosewater sprinkler is of solid, chased silver. It stands on a domed, ring foot; has an elegant, flattened spherical body; a baluster-form neck; and a domed flower-shaped head topped by a solid-cast spherical finial. The head, which is perforated to allow perfumed water to be emitted, is embellished with the addition of a solid-cast bird finial.

The body of the sprinkler is chased with floral and foliate scrollwork, and embellished with the addition of three solid cast peacocks. There is also a blank armorial plaque.

See Dehejia (2008, p. 147) for a related example.

Rosewater was used in India as part of traditional wedding ceremonies. It was also offered to guests on arrival so that they might freshen themselves after a journey. As Dehejia (2008) says, they were one of the few items that survived translation form the Indian courts to a European context, being admired for both their form and function.