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Large Tinned Copper Dish Cover
Azerbaijan
19th century
height: 27.5 cm; diameter: 26 cm
This domed cover, which resembles the helmet of an Ottoman soldier, was used in
Azerbaijan to cover hot pottery flat dishes in which pilav was served.
It is profusely decorated with incised bands of foliage within boteh shapes, curved
floral ribbing and two bands of cartouches of Ottoman Turkish Arabic script, each of
which gives a personal name – probably the names of each of the members of the
family for whom this piece was made. A small line of Turkish script that asks for Allah’
s blessing is also engraved near the top of the dome.
The solid cast finial has an attractive serrated edge. Thin bands of stylised almond
nuts that have burst open on ripening border the boteh motifs, a common
Caucasian motif that symbolises fertility and sustenance.
Tinned copper utensils such as this cover were a sign of wealth among Azerbaijani
households. They were often part of a marriage dowry. This is a particularly
beautiful example.
References: a similar Azerbaijani cover is illustrated in The Caucasian Peoples,
catalogue for an exhibition of the Russian Ethnographic Museum, staged at the
Hessenhuis, Antwerp, Belgium, 2001, p. 195.
Inventory no.: 1
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Large Tinned Copper Dish Cover
Azerbaijan
19th century
height: 27.5 cm; diameter: 26 cm
This domed cover, which resembles the helmet of an Ottoman soldier, was used in
Azerbaijan to cover hot pottery flat dishes in which pilav was served.
It is profusely decorated with incised bands of foliage within boteh shapes, curved
floral ribbing and two bands of cartouches of Ottoman Turkish Arabic script, each of
which gives a personal name – probably the names of each of the members of the
family for whom this piece was made. A small line of Turkish script that asks for Allah’
s blessing is also engraved near the top of the dome.
The solid cast finial has an attractive serrated edge. Thin bands of stylised almond
nuts that have burst open on ripening border the boteh motifs, a common
Caucasian motif that symbolises fertility and sustenance.
Tinned copper utensils such as this cover were a sign of wealth among Azerbaijani
households. They were often part of a marriage dowry. This is a particularly
beautiful example.
References: a similar Azerbaijani cover is illustrated in The Caucasian Peoples,
catalogue for an exhibition of the Russian Ethnographic Museum, staged at the
Hessenhuis, Antwerp, Belgium, 2001, p. 195.
Inventory no.: 1
This Item is available - Ask about this item
