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Antique Brass Persian Tray
It is a really old piece made of brass. It is circular and it measures 27 inches across and it weighs around 16lbs, it is heavy. It looks to be hand crafted/hand forged. It depicts a lot of different picture sequences and lots of detail. It has persian writing on the piece that I can not decipher.
Unknown
Inherited
Maybe
Hi LJ,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
These trays were very popular in the late 19th Century when Orientalism was in fashion; many were made for the tourist or export market and there are many versions of these on the market these days, most bringing at or less than $500; many often have wooden folding stands so that they can be used as circular low tables. In most cases, the writing on them is fictional and stylized, without real meaning.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
A Middle-Eastern relief and inscription-cast circular brass tray
Made by 'Ali', Isfahan, Persia, Late 19th Century (circa 1870-1890)
27 inches diameter
inscribed in provincial Arabic script "Isfahan Ali Hafizi"
PROVENANCE: inherited
$400-600*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.
The description already says 'Late 19th Century'; I will add a date range shortly.
These trays were made throughout the near and middle east; in the nearly 30 years I have worked with these trays, I don't know that there has been sufficient scholarship on them to catalog tray castings. It is also important to note that these were being made in small villages where a lack of records may hinder scholarship.
The Arabic inscription doesn't make much sense to me (and I can read Arabic script) so let me consult a colleague to see if they have other ideas on what it says...Ithere's no additional cost but it may take longer than the 48-hours to get this so please confirm that is OK.
Yes, I just saw you said late 19th century, my apologies. Sure, that sounds great im just eagar to know more about the piece. Thank you very much.
OK. I'll forward the photo now. I also clarified the dating with a date range of 1870-1890.
Thats great, I really appreciate your effort. Thanks, Have a Great Day.
Hi LJ.
I've heard back; the inscription reads "Isfahan Ali Hafizi"
Isfahan is a large city in Iran (in the 19th century it was called Persia); Ali is a personal name; Hafiz means someone who has memorized the Qur’an. My colleague said "The final “i” on 'Hafiz' doesn’t make grammatical sense to me. The writing not very professional" which perhaps indicates some lack of writing ability despite having memorized the Qur'an.
I've amended the description to include this information; it does not change the value but at least you now know a little more about this tray.
Thats great, I do appreciate your time and patiance explaining everything to me about the piece. Thank You Delia :)
Thanks Delia, so pretty much everything that you told me about the item I already had know by doing my own research. I would like to know what the signature at the bottom says? Also you said 19th century, do you mean early of late 19th century? If its a cast there should be more in circulation like mine? I have done extensive searches and have not found one like mine with the same artwork? Thanks