Featured Can anyone help with info on this item?

Here i have an enamel thing.

My Mum recently gave this to me to see what i could find out about it. It has been in the family at least since the 1940's and possibly long before. She seems to believe it has no real value but wanted me to check just in case.

I have no idea what this is and have no experience with antiques so i thought this may be the best place to ask to see if anyone knows what this is and how old it may be.

There are no markings on the bottom, and it looks hand painted to me, its quite elaborate too.

Pictures are below.



Would really love some advice or help on this.

Kind regards,

Adam.

 

Hello Adam, welcome.
It is beautiful. A Persian minakari enamelled 'beggar's bowl' or 'Fakir's bowl', made in Isfahan, Iran/Persia. It may have been new when it first came into your family. My guess is 1930s-40s, and as you thought, it is entirely hand made.
Bowls of this shape were originally used by travelling religious men to beg for food. No beggar or Fakir ever used this one, it is just the name of a shape that became popular in Persia and Persian influenced countries.
Here is some info on minakari enamel:
http://rizolux.com/blog/2016/03/21/minakari-on-metalware-everything-about-persian-enameling/
http://irandoostan.com/minakari-or-enameling-the-glorious-iranian-handicraft/

This is the Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, depicted in your central medallions. If you google Isfahan you will get many different views of this giant complex:

 

Wow such a quick response and amazing information. Thank you so much. i really appreciate the information.

 

Pleasure, I hope you will enjoy it's beauty even more now.

 

Isn't that why you came here ?

Now.....tell Mom to give you more stuff !!!

 

Just for accuracy, enamel on metal base, yes?

 

Yep. Brass or copper from the look of it. Silver if you're lucky.

 

Copper in this case.