"Aftaba" pitcher for "mayim aharonim." [probably Syria / Near East, early 20th century].
Brass, repoussé, stamped and punched.
Pitcher for "mayim aharonim" (lit. "final water"; water for ritual of symbolic hand-washing prior to Grace after Meals) in form of thickly decorated, tall-necked vase, with neck widening toward mouth. Slender, curving handle, and slender, s-shaped spout. Removable cover, opening and closing on a hinge. Body decorated in vegetal patterns. Hebrew inscriptions, in repoussé, inside two separate hexagonal frames, one quoting the blessing recited on hand-washing, the other referring to the ritual obligation of handwashing.
Height: 32.5 cm. Width: 25.5 cm. Minor fractures. Minor blemishes, and minor warping to spout. Hinge broken and partly missing.