Absolutely rare and fascinating piece.
The greatest specialist and collector of Syrian metal art, Dr. Touma, identifies these enameled copper as having been a Syrian Christian family – the Sarraf family, the only artisans responsible for creating them.
“There was a Christian family, the Sarr
af family, who started this art and, unfortunately, stopped after their dead.
In Damascus they had it for a period of 30 years that was the Sarraf seniors, the son and then their assistant, who was a Muslim, who learned the art and when he died it gone.”
In addition to this, the basin depict human figures which makes it a unique and very very rare piece.
Birds, floral patterns, men and Arabic calligraphy inscriptions.
Minor wears with two small areas with enamel losses.
