Vintage chai bowls

Lovely small brass dishes, once used for drinking chai…. 

Before the introduction of glass and paper cups into Indian chai culture, there was clay and there was brass. Chai is consumed quickly and frequently throughout the day in India, and when served in a dish, as opposed to a cup- it cools down much faster for quicker consumption …

In South India, where I lived, in street dhabas, you  are still served chai in a stainless steel dish much like this ! 

These dishes may be repurposed as a candle holder, jewellery dish or a little bowl for your kitchen. 

Approx 9-10cm 

Bowls are one-off antique pieces, each slightly different to the next.  Some have engraved Hindi along the side, different bases or slightly different sizes.