19th-Century Islamic Brass Ewer with Silver & Copper Inlay
$4,000.00
Or Best OfferA richly ornamented Islamic brass ewer dating to the 19th century, masterfully inlaid with silver and copper in the traditional damascening technique. The body of the vessel features an elegant band of Arabic calligraphy, likely a benediction or poetic inscription, surrounded by scrolling vegetal and geometric motifs rendered in meticulous detail.
The lid is crowned with a distinctive crescent moon finial, a symbolic element often associated with Ottoman and Islamic cultural identity. The zoomorphic handle, possibly representing a lion or dragon head, adds a sculptural dimension and reflects the ewer’s likely ceremonial or high-status domestic use.
The piece is exemplary of the intricate metalwork traditions seen in late Ottoman or Qajar courtly craftsmanship—possibly from Syria, Egypt, or Persia—where artisans fused aesthetics and symbolism in utilitarian forms.