Iron ewer decorated with inlaid silver and gold-coloured metal. Globular body with elongated neck decorated with projecting moulding. Low integral circular stand. Domed hinged lid attached to top of S shaped handle terminating in spirals at each end. All over decoration in horizontal bands with individual flowers withing cuspid arch in the main band amid design of vegetal motifs. Scrolling on the spout which is screwed on by the collar and terminates with a makara head. This may be a repair. Narrow band of inscription at lower part of neck in Arabic script.
'This object was probably made in the Punjab, perhaps at Silakot. The inscription looks like a verse, but not a religious one since the language is not Arabic. It is an example of Kuftkari ware, i.e. from Kuftan. Like Tolado wear the steel body is cross hatched and fine wire hammered in to it in order to create decorative patterns. This sort of decoration is often seen in weapons. However, after annexing the Punjab in the 1840s the British outlawed weapon making and centres like Silakot and Lahore transferred their decorative craft to more innocent objects.'
