ANTIQUE Large Bronze Hand-Carved Etched Indian Dowry Tray 1924 Telugu TWO BIRDS

Description

This listing is for one antique brass tray featuring two somewhat mirrored birds, surrounded by a beautifully intricate design.  The tray is hand-hammered and surface etched.  It features a phrase in Telugu script (possible transliteration:
rājā āyā gāru śradanam)
followed by "1924" and a couple characters that are Tamil script that translate to "this year" or "circa".  There is a third mark reading "R.S.M." in a different area, which I believe to be the maker's mark because it is etched in a different style (the letters are made of dots instead of continuous lines) and uses Latin characters (possibly English?).  So, all in all this tray contains characters from three different languages and is nearly 100 years old.  As far as the meaning of the inscribed characters: "Raja" translates to king. "Ayagaru" is sometimes used as an alternative spelling for the Tamil surname 'Iyengar'.  In this context, "raja" could be part of a name.  "Sradanam" is a very old word that means 'dowry'.  This plate was most likely part of a dowry brought by the bride to her marriage- perhaps commissioned by her family to be made by "RSM".  I do not know the plate's country of origin, but I very much doubt that it was made in the US (the plate's current location) or any predominantly Telugu/Tamil-speaking country.  The choice of birds on the tray feels quite significant and it may have a very personal meaning that is now lost to history.
If you orient the tray to the primary text, then the birds' heads go toward the bottom.  The tray measures 18 5/8" in diameter and the rim stands approximately 1 3/8" (from sitting flat).  The tray weighs just under 5 lbs.  It does show dings and dents from its journey (thus far) but overall it has held its shape well and is no doubt quality-made.  It may have been once inlaid with white paint.  I believe the tray is bronze.  Magnets will not stick to it.  It also may require additional cleaning to your satisfaction, but I have opted not to do this per chance it ruins the patina.
This tray is a true piece of historical art and the maker(s) certainly put a lot of time and care in to making it exactly how it is.  Please see photos for details- questions are always welcome.  Thank you so much.