Antique Afghan brass ewer (aftaba) with hand-engraved floral band, tall neck and curved spout

Antique Afghan Brass Ewer

$110.00

Before a meal, a ewer like this was carried to the guest so water could be poured over the hands — a small courtesy that opened the table. In Afghan homes, the aftaba was kept for exactly that. This one is antique brass, raised into a round body with a...

The Craft

Hand-Hammering

Raised from a flat sheet under thousands of hammer blows, the dimpled surface a record of the making.

Cutwork

Openwork lace pierced clean through the metal by hand with a fine needle.

Engraving / Qalamzani

Cut into the metal line by line with a fine steel chisel, the qalam.

Naqsheen

Floral and geometric patterns chased into the surface freehand by the naqash.

Used in this piece

Sand Casting

Molten brass poured into a sand mould packed by hand, then broken open to free the piece.

A Note from Amara
I found this one already carrying its history — an Afghan aftaba, the ewer once brought to a guest to pour water over the hands before a meal. The engraved flowers around its shoulder are the work of Afghan metalsmiths, not ours; we simply brought it home. Some objects do not need to be made new to belong on your table.

— Amara, Founder · Maeraas

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