Middle Eastern Tea Pot???

[jumpontopski]

I wanted to see if you guys could give me some more info on this tea pot. It seems to be middle eastern based on the Arabic Calligraphy but I have no idea what it says. It is brass with silver and copper inlays. The dimensions are 5.5" tall, 6" wide, 18" circumference, 2.5" opening, 3" spout. There are no identifying marks on the pot. Any help would be greatly appreciated. My wife picked this up from an estate sale in the Washington DC area.

[mart]

Can we see the bottom and inside the lid with the hinge ??  I Think that is done with just different coatings not inlays, since the decoration seems to be pressed in like machine made !!

[jumpontopski]

Mart,

Does not look to be machine made. Here is the bottom and inside

[mart]

Sorry but I would disagree,, do you see hammer marks or any way the main body was formed by hand ?? If you will enlarge the pic with the lid, you can clearly see the outline of the design on the pot,, then the different metals were placed on top !!  The different metals were added by hand and likely the handle and lid were attached by hand but thats all !!  Decorating these is a common Mom and Pop operation in many middle eastern countries !! But they don`t hand forge or make the pots themselves !!  Many times they are paid by how many they decorate and finish !! You can see in the enlargement that the lines where the different metals are added are not well done because they try to turn out as many as possible !!!

[fancypants]

Hmmm ...

Your cool little decorative (will explain in a sec) item seems to be constructed from a 'blank' -as in unadorned- of spun copper , as has been suggested by other members .
I'd just have to agree about it's decorative stamped body being from a small workshop ... perhaps one near an embassy/etc ... in a country such as india , pakistan & mid-eastern countries/etc. where arabic is commonly read .

I'd suggest checkin' it for lead , prior to using ...

These puppies heat all the way up the handle , when put to the 'flame' , so a hot-mitt device is suggested .


I don't think it would look bad displayed , just as it is , though !

[KC]

Ditto the great information already given!  Great job ya'll!

[jumpontopski]

Thanks mart, fp, and kc. I see what you are saying now about it being machined and then inlaid with copper and silver. I can see the machine marks on the inside bottom of the pot. I appreciate all your help with this item!

 One last thing.....what do you think its worth??? $100??

[bigwull]

its a buyers market...but stick it on ebay...with a reserve, and hope for the best....

[mart]

I doubt it !!  Maybe $25. but most don`t sell at all !!  Too many inported here to be worth much !!  Only the most unique and oldest are even getting bids !!  Ebay is a pretty good indicator to see if there is interest in many items like this !!