HvWO 157I

Brass Omani Baluchi container for Halwa, Henna or Jewelry.

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Covered pot for Henna or Jewelry.

 Scarce brass Omani Baluchi covered pot for Halva, Henna or Jewelry.

The medallions with cartoon like animals including gazelle, lion, peacock, birds and sometime elephants.

 

 

Antique Omani brass

 
Antique Omani brass container

 

Antique Omani brass pot

 

Antique Omani brass Henna container

Antique Omani brass pot

Miniature pot for children

Antique Omani brass pot for children

 

Arab Name: Makabah

Period: 1800-1900

Origin: Oman Beluchi, Zanzibar, East Africa

The use of medallions with abstract floral or animal designs in metal work may suggest that the design is originally derived from Persian metalwork. In Oman we used to find very fine antique brass containers and rosewater sprinklers with similar medallions containing floral designs but also funny cartoon like animals. Typically gazelles  and leopards and occasionally peacocks or elephants) However we also find brass containers  with just floral designs in the medallions

    References:
  1. Handwerk und industrie in Ost Afrika Hamburg 1910 by Franz Stuhlmann See also afb 75  p 131-132  Picture 75 contains a silver container with emblems containing flowers that was made in East Africa. The fact that abstract animals are used in the emblems on our plates may also suggest an origin outside Oman proper e.g. Zanzibar were Islamic rules were a bit more relaxed.
  2. Carter Tribes in Oman p 112 see one on top of the chest
  3. Richardson & Dorr The craft and Heritage of Oman vol 2 page 458
  4. Oman & its Renaissance by Sir Donald Hawley also has a picture of such a Halwa pot on page 143