Middle Eastern Dallah (Coffee Pot) Base in Brass with Arabic Markings
Hollowware (Coffee Pot / Dallah) · Unknown regional workshop, likely a mass-market manufacturer of traditional wares. The central red label indicate a commercial brand or quality seal rather than a bespoke silversmith.
Pattern: Traditional Bedouin / Middle Eastern Dallah form. These pieces follow historical shapes rather than a modern 'collection' system.
Type
Hollowware (Coffee Pot / Dallah)
Maker
Unknown regional workshop, likely a mass-market manufacturer of traditional wares. The central red label indicate a commercial brand or quality seal rather than a bespoke silversmith.
Material
Brass and nickel-plated brass or copper. Despite the request for silver analysis, the visual evidence (golden hue, scratch-revealing yellow metal, and red commercial sticker) confirms this is brass with a worn plated finish, containing no precious metal.
Dimensions
Estimated height 8-10 inches; base diameter approximately 3.5 inches. Weight is likely between 400-600 grams, consistent with heavy-gauge brass rather than hollow sterling.
Description
This is a quintessential Middle Eastern Dallah, or coffee pot, commonly used for serving Gahwa. This specific example is a durable, utility-grade piece made of brass. Its wide, flat base is engraved with batch numbers and bears a manufacturer's sticker, typical of pieces sold in souks or exported for international decor markets. The golden luster mimics the appearance of traditional gold-washed silver but is purely base metal.
Key Features
Distinguished by its oversized, bird-beak spout and bulbous body. The most notable feature is the presence of modern commercial labeling on an ancient form, indicating it is a modern utility object rather than an antique.
Material & Composition
Brass and nickel-plated brass or copper. Despite the request for silver analysis, the visual evidence (golden hue, scratch-revealing yellow metal, and red commercial sticker) confirms this is brass with a worn plated finish, containing no precious metal.
Finish & Decoration
Polished brass finish with hand-stamped or crudely engraved Arabic script on the base. The spout exhibits a smooth, machine-rolled or cast finish. It lacks the hallmarks of high-end chasing or repoussé.
Hallmarks & Stamps
The base features a red and white oval sticker with Arabic text (Al-Mumtaz / Excellent Quality) and a crescent/sword motif. It also features hand-scratched markings and a stamped label reading 'PATENT NO 1463L', which is typical of mid-20th-century mass-produced imports.
Construction Details
Machine-made and assembled. The base plate is joined to the body with a visible seam or solder joint. The spout is likely a separate cast piece soldered to the main chamber. The hand-engraved numbers on the bottom indicate manual inventory or batch marking.
Functional Features
Traditional curved 'beak' spout for pouring concentrated Arabic coffee. The flat base provides stability on sand or flat surfaces. This is a functional vessel designed for heating over coals or stove-tops.
Handle & Grip Details
The handle (not fully visible) is likely a curved brass strap attached via rivets or heavy solder, designed to stay relatively cool compared to the body.
Craftsmanship Details
Industrial quality. The engraving is utilitarian rather than artistic. The stamping of the patent number is inconsistent, and the overall finish is designed for durability over high-art aesthetics.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of a 'Patent No.' stamp in English and a commercial red sticker immediately identifies this as a non-sterling, mass-produced item. The yellow color of the metal in the scratches confirms it is brass.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely manufactured in India, Pakistan, or Saudi Arabia for the regional or export market. These are common household items and souvenirs produced in large quantities in regional brass-working centers.
Era & Period
Modern / Contemporary (20th Century). While it uses a traditional design dating back centuries, the 'Patent No.' stamp and commercial sticker place this in a modern manufacturing context.
Age Estimate
Circa 1970 - 2000. The condition of the sticker and the style of the stamped 'Patent' text suggest a late 20th-century production date.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of Arab hospitality (Karam). Used during social gatherings, eid, and weddings, the Dallah represents a tradition of welcoming guests that is listed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good. There is significant surface scratching on the underside. The red sticker is partially peeling. No significant dents or structural cracks are visible from the base view.
Value Estimate
$15 - $45 USD. This is a decorative or functional utility piece with low collectible value compared to hand-wrought silver examples.
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a general brass polisher (like Brasso or Wenol). Avoid abrasive pads which will scratch the finish further. It is not dishwasher safe.
Similar Pieces
Sterling silver Dallahs (often by makers like Asprey or international smiths for royal families) would feature assay hallmarks and no stickers. Tinned copper versions are also common but have a 'silvery' interior.
Interesting Facts
The Dallah is so central to Middle Eastern culture that it appears on the 1-dirham coin of the UAE. It represents hospitality and is used in a specific ceremony where the server holds the pot in the left hand and cups in the right.