Double-Walled Copper Water Vessel (Aftabeh), Domed Lid, Chain and Riveted Handle
Northern Afghanistan / Persian Khorasan region
£270.00
A hand-raised copper water vessel of traditional Persian / Afghan form, complete with its domed lid on a forged chain and its arched carrying handle. Weight 2.6 kg.
CONSTRUCTION. The body is hammered up by hand, not spun or pressed - the facets of the planishing hammer are visible over the whole surface and are clearly irregular, which is what separates genuine hand-work from later commercial reproductions. The body is raised in sections and joined by brazed seams, the base is a separate disc let in and brazed, and the carry handle is fixed with hand-cut riveted plates. The rim is thick and rolled, and the neck is fitted with its original lid, secured by a hand-forged chain.
CONDITION. Sound and complete: no splits, no holes, no repairs visible. The surface carries an untouched warm patina with areas of green verdigris around the base and lower body, which is normal on old copper and has not been cleaned off. Some denting and distortion to the body consistent with long domestic use. The interior shows tinning worn through in places. NOT FOOD SAFE and not offered for use - this is a decorative and collectable object.
WHAT HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED. There are no maker’s marks, stamps or inscriptions. Nothing dates this piece precisely and no provenance accompanies it. The description previously stated that the double wall forms an insulating cavity for cooling water; the interior photograph shows a thick rolled rim and an inner wall at the neck, but this has not been verified through the whole body and the claim is not relied on here.
WHY THE PRICE MOVED. This was listed at GBP 1,800 reduced to GBP 1,200. Hand-raised copper water vessels of this region and period sell in the United Kingdom at roughly GBP 60 to GBP 300, with the upper end reserved for large, complete, undamaged examples retaining their lid and fittings. This is one of those - large, complete, sound, with its lid and chain intact and a good honest surface - so it is priced at the top of that range rather than above it.
ALL ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION OF BEING IN STOCK.
The identification, condition assessment and valuation in this listing were produced by an AI analysis of photographs. No metal analysis or provenance research has been carried out. ALL PURCHASES ARE MADE ENTIRELY AT THE BUYER’S OWN RISK. Sold as seen. These are second-hand goods and there are no returns beyond your statutory rights.