Moradabad Hammered Brass Serving Tray Platter

Hand-hammered in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, Pital Nagari, the Brass City, this serving platter carries the texture of the hammer across its entire surface. The dimples are not uniform; they deepen and lighten depending on the angle of each strike. Hold it at an angle and the surface moves with light.

The beaten finish on this brass serving platter is not applied with a machine. It is the result of a hammer, a craftsperson's wrist, and the particular density of pure brass, a metal that takes an impression and holds it. Made in Moradabad, each tray comes out with its own rhythm of marks, which means no two are precisely alike even when made from the same mould. The form is low and wide, a natural resting place for whatever it holds.

Arrange mittai on it for a gathering. Set four tealights across the surface for the kind of quiet evening that doesn't need to be explained. Use it as the base under a small brass pot of agarbatti. The tray is not fussy about its role, it holds light well, and it holds objects well, and it becomes more itself the more it is touched.

Pure Brass · Moradabad · Hand-Hammered · Pital Nagari

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.