A digital archive showcasing the extensive collection of jewellery and adornment images shared on the former Ethnic Jewels Ning site over the years. These images have significantly enriched discussions on cultural adornment and its global dispersion.
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Dear Lizzy; This is really beautiful. I love the combination of copper, brass and silver - it so elegant and luxurious! Regards. Peter
Dear Lizzy; Below you can see a "Brother" and "Sister" of your fantastic bowl - the photos were taken before polishing them... With kind regards. Peter
Thank you! Origin? Any thoughts on the script?
Dear Lizzy; Many thanks for your message. Since the Mamluk period, Cairo has been the main production center for such inlaid works. This is also why such pieces of art are called “Cairoware”. However, Syria is producing such beautiful pieces as well. Hence, they can be from either country. The writing is usually Islamic wisdom in ornate calligraphy on all kinds of utensils and requisites for daily life. By the way, I have also some nice copper boxes - not inlaid but beautifully shaped - which were used in Syria to keep the soap, loofah and towels when going to the bath houses. They are also very beautiful and would compliment your nice bowl perfectly! They are getting very scarce though.
I hope that the above information can be of help to you.
With kind regards. Peter
Many thanks to taking the time to reply. DH had wondered about the bowl being from Egypt. Would this be a lid though? it seems too ornate to never be seen. Now we need to find a way to display it - maybe hanging from a coat hook.
I second Peter's thoughts...Cairo is still a major center for these wares and possibly one of the most preserved traditional craft (besides patchwork and wood inlay funriture maybe) in the country...but very expensive though.
These ware often highlight proverbs or religious sayings, this ones even if i can't see it in totality would be that of a celebrated proverb which roughly translates as : "With deliberation there is safety and with haste there is waste or regret"
This is a Hammam Bowl for scooping water ... my guess is from Damascus or Aleppo in Syria