8.27.26 AUGUST ANTIQUE & GLASS AUCTION
Lot 395:
Description
This hand-hammered tinned copper ewer, or aftaba, is characteristic of metalwork from the 19th-century Ottoman Empire. The vessel features a bulbous, pear-shaped body that tapers into a slender neck accented by a central horizontal rib. The ewer is topped with a hinged, conical lid featuring a tiered, bud-shaped finial. It is equipped with a long, gracefully curved spout and a slender S-curved handle that attaches from the upper neck to the lower body. The piece was originally finished with a layer of tin, much of which has worn away over time to reveal a dark, mottled copper-toned patina. An incised decorative or calligraphic band encircles the lower portion of the body just above the foot rim, but the characters are heavily worn and illegible. The construction shows evidence of traditional hand-hammering and joinery.
Condition report:
The item is in antique condition with significant signs of age and use. There is extensive loss to the original tinned finish, resulting in a dark, uneven patina with areas of surface oxidation and verdigris. The body exhibits numerous small dings, shallow dents, and surface scratches throughout. The foot rim shows some minor misshapenness. The hinged lid remains attached and functional.
Share this lot:
