Karahi Cooking Pot Appraisal

Indian Brass Karahi (Kadai) Cooking Vessel

This is a vintage Indian-style Karahi, a traditional circular, deep-sided cooking vessel. It is constructed from cast brass, exhibiting a warm yellow-gold metallic hue. The pot features a rounded, wok-like bottom and two integrated 'C' shaped looped handles on opposite sides for lifting. The construction is solid and relatively thick, typical of traditional sand-casting methods. The interior shows significant signs of age and use, including dark oxidation spots, pitting, and a variegated patina that suggests regular contact with heat and acidic foods. There are visible surface scratches and minor indentations throughout the body, consistent with its age and utilitarian purpose. No specific maker's mark is visible in the image, but the organic, slightly irregular lines of the handles and rim suggest a handcrafted origin rather than a modern machine-pressed piece. This style of vessel has been used for centuries in South Asian cuisine for deep frying and slow cooking, and this particular example appears to date from the mid-20th century. The craftsmanship is robust and functional, designed for longevity and even heat distribution.