Old Pitcher From Zanzibar

Hello
An elderly friend has gifted me this beautiful piece. She was given it in Zanzibar approximately 60 years ago and she has a vague memory of it being very old when she received it. It looks like there are two marks on the base but I think I will need to wait for the morning light to get a better look with the loupe. It is approx 10 inches high to the top of the spout and weighs 1.244 gms.
Not magnetic. Any comments regarding potential history , metal type etc would be very welcome.
Thank you

 

Oh, stunning, Tracey!
It is Persian, looks like tinned copper. I would say Qajar dynasty, at least mid 19th century.
Zanzibar has a very long history of trade with the Middle East, and was at one point colonized by Oman. So there are many ways the pitcher could have ended up in Zanzibar.

 

Thanks you so much AJ. This is definitely a treasure I will hang in to. I'm not inclined to clean. What do you think?

 

wipe off any surface dirt......leave the rest alone.....let it look it's age !

 

I love that idea

 

I concur.

 

Yay. Thank you. I absolutely adore this piece. If only it could talk

 

I love it too, a perfect, elegant shape and beautiful decoration.

Zanzibar has a very rich history. Have you ever googled it? There is some amazing architecture which has been restored over the past few decades. They are still in the process of restoring the old Stone Town.

Of course I imagine that your pitcher would have lived in a building like this:



This is another one, before restoration, but so beautiful:

 

Oh gosh. Stunning!!! Another destination I must visit.........thank you for sharing x

 

Yes, I love the shape. It's perfectly proportioned to my eye and so earthy and rustic. This is the type of thing I love. I have felt quite overwhelmed with everything that has been left to me and not sure what I like and what I love but this piece makes sense to me. Sorry. That probably all sounds very weird x

 

No, it sounds Antiquers. It is the way we all love things.

 

I'd clean it with a damp microfibre cloth, nothing more.

 

in a way...it does !

 

Beautiful piece! Thanks for sharing it.

 

Is this text or random scratches?

 

Hi @Miscstuff. I have ordered a more powerful loupe. Just waiting for it to arrive. I think there may be something worthwhile there I will keep you posted.