Moradabad Floral-Etched Pure Brass Dabba

The artisans of Moradabad, Pital Nagari, the Brass City of Uttar Pradesh, have been working brass since the city's metalworking guilds established themselves centuries ago. This jar is cast from pure brass, then hand-etched with floral designs using small steel tools pressed and turned by hand. The weight of the lid when you set it down tells you something about the thickness of the walls.

In Moradabad, India's Pital Nagari, the Brass City of Uttar Pradesh, this handcrafted dabba is mould-cast and hand-etched by artisans who learned the trade from the generation before them. The floral motif is traced freehand with a steel stylus, then deepened pass by pass. The lid fits snugly; the seal is not airtight, but it keeps insects out and content fresh for weeks.

On a kitchen shelf, this handmade jar holds tea leaves or sugar in the way a pantry should, not hidden, but present. The brass gleams when new, then softens into a deeper gold with daily handling. On the counter, it is both storage and still life.

Pure Brass · Hand-Etched Floral · Moradabad (Pital Nagari) · Artisanal Lidded Dabba Form

Care Instructions

• Brass will develop a natural patina with use, this is not a defect, it is the object becoming yours.
• Hand wash only with mild soap and lukewarm water. Never put in dishwasher.
• Wipe dry immediately after washing. Do not leave wet.
• Avoid abrasive cleaners and steel wool, use a soft cloth only.
• Polish periodically with a brass-cleaning powder or lemon and salt to restore lustre.