19th C. ORIENTAL OTTOMAN CHASED REPOUSSE SILVER HAMMAM TURKISH BATH BOWL DISH

Description

ANTIQUE CIRCA 1880'S, SOLID SILVER HAMMAM BOWL. HAND HAMMERED WITH EMBOSSED REPOUSSE CENTER FLOWER MEDALLION, ENCIRCLED BY OVERLAPPING RINGS OF FLORAL BOUQUETS, SOME WITH BIRDS. SIDES ARE ROUNDED ARCH FLORAL PANELS. TURNED LIP. THE CENTER IS A RAISED  BASE TO FACILITATE DEPRESSION TO SECURELY HOLD THE UNDERSIDE WITH ONE HAND WHEN FILLED WITH WATER.
TRADITIONALLY, THIS VESSEL WAS USED BY THE WEALTHY WHEN DOUSING THEMSELVES WITH COOL WATER OR TURKISH STEAM. THE VESSEL IS THEN TURNED OVER FOR UNDERSIDE USE AS A HEADREST DURING THE BATH PROCESS.
A HAMMAM VESSEL IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE ORIENTAL, MIDDLE EASTERN CULTURE. USED IN INDIA, MOROCCO, TURKEY, GREECE, PERSIA AND GOES BACK TO THE ROMAN PERIOD.
THE ELLABORATE FLORAL, FOLIATE AND ANIMAL MOTIFS ARE SYMBOLS OF PROSPERITY AND ABUNDANCE, WHERE WATER AND CLEANLINESS WERE A LUXURY OF FEW.
MEASURES 8 1/2 INCHES IN DIAMETER, STANDS 1 3/4 INCHES HIGH. TOTAL WEIGHT OF 259 GRAMS, (8.3 TROY OUNCES). TESTED AND GUARANTEED TO BE SOLID SILVER. UNMARKED.
MAKES A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING OR ANNIVERSARY GIFT.