Bronze Urli Festival Cooking Vessel From South India - 19th Century Material - Camphor Wood ' 'front desks

' 'front desks

10 x 4 x 6 (wxdxh cms)

native to south-west China

55 x 39 x 57(w x d x h cms)

some handles were missing and have been replaced with hand turned ivory substitute handles

Bronze Urli Festival Cooking Vessel From South India - 19th Century Material - Camphor Wood ' 'front desksCrafted in South India during the late 19th century, this substantial bronze cauldron known locally as an Urli () reflects a long standing culinary and cultural tradition. Traditionally used in Tamil and Malayali households for preparing large quantities of food, Urlis were positioned over open flames and lifted using wooden poles passed through their sturdy loop handles. Each vessel was central to communal cooking and ceremonial gatherings, embodying