Antique Brass or Bronze Offering or Fruit Bowl with Two Handles and Floral Relief Design

THIS IS A LARGE ANTIQUE BRASS OR BRONZE OFFERING OR FRUIT BOWL. IT HAS TWO SCROLL CAST AND APPLIED HANDLES. SITS ON AND ORNATE OVAL FOOTED STEMMED BASE WITH FLORAL RELIEF DSIGNS AROUND THE RIM. THE BODY IS ALSO DECORATED WITH FLORAL RELIEF DESIGNS ON INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. IT IS VERY OLD AND SHOWS LOTS OF PATINA. IT WAS HAND CRAFTED IN INDIA. MEANT TO BE AN OFFERING OR FRUIT BOWL.
 
IN BUDDHIST COUNTRIES IT IS BELIEVED THAT ONE MUST OFFER VISITORS FOOD AND DRINK UPON ENTRY TO YOUR HOME. MANY HOME HAD THESE FRUIT BOWLS ON A TABLE WITH FRUIT FOR VISITORS TO PARAKE IN. Buddhists believe one must treat "the atithi, the guest, as a god, "offering him whatever one can: the very last morsel of food in one's possession, as the Buddha advises; some rice-water, if that's all one has.
 
At the time of the Buddha in ancient India and still to this day in many south east Buddhist countries, it is the custom of the day for devoted Buddhist households to make offerings to the Buddha and his monks and nuns as they traveled. Typically they would be offered clean water for drinking and bathing, flowers, fruit and rice etc.
 
SIZE: 47CM WIDE 20CM DEEP 19CM HIGH
 
CONDITION: LOTS OF PATINA SHOWING ITS AGE. ONE HOLE IN BOTTOM VISIBLE. TWO HANDLES IN TACT.
 
PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE OTHER INTERESTING ITEMS AUCTION THIS WEEK.THE URL UNDERNEATH AND PASTE INTO GOOGLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO ALL MY LISTINGS THIS WEEK. NOTE ALL MY AUCTIONS END AT 22H30 SO IT IS ADVISABLE TO PUT IN AN AUTOMATIC BID (HIGHEST PRICE YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY) EARLY.
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/3685641/ErnRex1545