Elegant Brass Hammered Urli Bowl

$140.00

An urli is a wide Indian bowl filled with water so petals and floating diyas sit on the surface. This is the plain one — no deity, no cutwork, just a hand-hammered brass bowl with a small loop handle at each side and a polished interior that throws the light back up through the water. It comes in two sizes.

Product details

Sizes: 12-inch bowl (15 inches across handles, 4 inches tall) and 16-inch bowl (19 inches across handles, 5 inches tall)
Weight: 1,120 g (approx. 2.5 lb) and 2,160 g (approx. 4.8 lb)
Material: solid brass, uncoated
Finish: hand-hammered outside, polished inside
Handles: one cast loop each side
Handmade in India
Not dishwasher safe

Why this one

Hand-hammered, and you can see it. The dimpling on the outside is struck by hand, so the pattern is irregular and the reflections break up rather than mirroring.
Solid brass, uncoated. 2,160 g in the large — approx. 4.8 lb — and 1,120 g in the medium. Nothing plated, nothing lacquered.
Wide and shallow, which is the right shape for floating. Petals and diyas spread across the surface instead of bunching in a well.
Two loop handles cast onto the rim, so a full bowl can be carried and set down without gripping the water line.

Which size, and how the measurements work

The variant names are the bowl diameter. The larger figure in the details below is the width across the handles, which is the number to use when you are measuring a shelf or a table.

12 inches — 12-inch bowl, 15 inches across the handles, 4 inches tall, 1,120 g (approx. 2.5 lb). A side table, a mandir shelf, a small dining table.
16 inches — 16-inch bowl, 19 inches across the handles, 5 inches tall, 2,160 g (approx. 4.8 lb). A dining table centre, an entryway console, a mandap entrance.

Which one do I need

Three brass urlis, three different jobs:

Brass Ganesha urli — seated Ganesha on a pierced backplate, $180
Brass mini urli set of 5 — 4-inch prasad bowls, $90

Where it works

A dining table, filled with water and floating marigold heads
An entryway, with tealights on the water for Diwali
A haldi or mehndi ceremony, as the bowl the paste is served from
A coffee table, empty — the hammering carries it on its own
Buy both sizes and nest them for a two-level arrangement

Gifting

The plainest piece in the range and, for that reason, the easiest to give to someone whose taste you do not know. It works for a housewarming or griha pravesh, a wedding, Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi. The 16-inch reads as the more significant gift. Buying several for an event — get in touch first and we will confirm stock and price before you commit to a date.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the two sizes?
Bowl diameter, depth and weight. The 12-inch is 4 inches deep and 1,120 g; the 16-inch is 5 inches deep and 2,160 g, nearly twice the metal. Both are the same shape and finish.

Why does the listing mention 15 and 19 inches as well?
Those are the widths across the handles. The variant names use the bowl diameter. Measure with the handle figure if space is tight.

Is it solid brass or plated?
Solid brass throughout, uncoated. There is no plating to wear through.

Can I fill it with water?
Yes, that is what it is for. Empty and dry it the same evening rather than leaving water standing in it.

Will it darken over time?
Yes, and that is normal for uncoated brass. Some people polish it back every few months, others prefer the deeper tone it settles into. Either is fine — nothing is wrong with the piece.

How do I clean it?
Wipe with a soft dry cloth. Brass darkens naturally with air and handling; if you want it bright again, any household brass polish will lift it in a few minutes. Do not put it in the dishwasher and do not leave water standing in it.

Can I serve food in it?
Dry food such as sweets, nuts or fruit in skins is fine. Avoid anything acidic or wet sitting in bare brass for long.

Do the two sizes nest?
Yes. The 12-inch sits inside the 16-inch, which several customers use as a tiered arrangement for Diwali.

Can I order several for an event?
Yes — get in touch before you order if you need more than a few. We can usually help on price for larger quantities and confirm stock before you commit to a date.

What if it arrives damaged?
Every order is insured. Photograph the box and the piece and contact us, and we will sort out a replacement or a refund.