Under the latest and popular online series of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya entitled ‘Exhibit of the Week’ the Aftaba, Brass container for storing and pouring liquid collected from 1997. The Soni community of Tikamgarh, Madhya Pradesh. It’s Measurement Height –47 cm., Circumference- 55cm. displayed in the audience as The Second Exhibit of the month of March, 2021 through official website, Facebook, Instagram and twitter page of the IGRMS.
In this regard Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS said that Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (National Museum of Mankind), Initially this series will focus on the masterpieces from its collection which are considered as unique for their contribution to the cultural history of a particular ethnic group or area. Aftaba is a brass container used for storing or pouring liquids. This large container reveals the socio-economic status of the owner as the objects depicts rich Mughal style engravings showing star, half moon and other floral designs.
The container has a beautiful fish shaped handle and ‘S’ shaped dispenser pipe with a tiger head at the end. The Soni are essentially still goldsmiths caste, but in tikamgarh district of Madhya Pradesh they are also involved in the manufacture of other metal items besides jewelry. They also cast other objects based on user's requirement.
Regarding this object Sudeepa Roy said that The pot is made from lost wax casting followed by intricate design of flora in engraved fashion. The rich design on the pot reveals the excellent craftsmanship of the maker and also shows the economic status of the user.
Both in India and in the Islamic land of the middle East Asia, the hot and harsh climate make a water bearing vessel very important.
It was used for ritually cleansing one’s hand before prayer and for washing hands before and after meal. This pot thus was an important part of every aristocratic as well as middle class house hold.
