Ottoman Empire: Tin-plated Copper Hammam Bowl (tâs), Late 19th Century

Resting on a slight foot with a very beautiful patina from use, this bowl has a very classic, gently rounded silhouette. Its decoration consists of four friezes incised in relief with a chisel and a point. Three of these friezes feature geometric forms typical of the Ottoman repertoire, such as crosshatching and dotted patterns. These engravings help structure the space, add rhythm to the design, and enrich this piece. The fourth frieze, the widest one, is adorned with stylized foliage (Rumi motif) and geometric shapes. The carving is irregular and shallow, and the plant motifs are both similar and distinct: this is clearly the work of the copper smith’s hand.

A true epicenter of Ottoman public life, the hammam is more than a place for hygiene; it is, above all, a place for socializing. People discuss politics, the economy, marriage, and more there. The objects brought to the hammam are therefore true markers of social status. A beautiful tin-plated bowl with silvery highlights, such as the one presented here, was thus a way for its owner to assert his rank and social prestige. This piece is an authentic testament to the traditional craftsmanship of the last Ottoman copper smiths, who, at the end of the nineteenth century, were facing the massive influx of European manufactured goods and the gradual industrialization of the Empire.

There is evidence of an old restoration on the bottom (tin soldering, which is to be expected for a utilitarian object repeatedly exposed to heat). Very satisfactory condition for a used item; beautiful reflections inside the bowl.

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