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19th Century Syrian Damascene Large Charger

Origin

Syria

Period

19th Century

Materials

Brass, Silver & Copper

Dimensions

H.	1.5 in;	Diam.	30 in;
H.	3.81 cm;	Diam.	76.2 cm;

Condition

Good. Minor structural damages. Near Mint. One or 2 blemishes to the brass as one would expect with age.

Creation Date

1850-70

Description

Presenting a stunning 19th century Syrian Damascene charger of large proportions.

In beautiful original condition made of brass and inlaid with silver and copper in Islamic themes with Islamic script. In the Classic Damascene style.

circa 1850-1870….. probably made in Damascus, Syria.

Large – with a diameter of 30 inches.

Gorgeous pie-crust edge. Highly intricate central inlaid medallion and highly intricate outer band with Islamic script.

“Damascening is the art of inlaying different metals into one another—typically, gold or silver into a darkly oxidized steel background—to produce intricate patterns similar to niello. The English term comes from a perceived resemblance to the rich tapestry patterns of damask silk.

The technique has a long history in Japan, where it was used to decorate katana fittings, particularly tsuba. Known as zougan in Japanese, it has developed its own subset of terms to describe the particular patterns, although “shippou-zougan” is an enamelling technique which most Westerners would consider closer to champlevé.

Damascened-inlay jewelry, especially of Japanese origin, is sometimes referred to as shakudo from the use of that alloy as the dark background.

The technique of niello is also famously attested in prehistoric Greece. The earliest occurrence of damascening in the Aegean, from the Shaft Graves of Mycenae, dates to the latest Middle Bronze Age/Middle Helladic IIIB period (dagger Nu-304). Ultimately of Near Eastern provenance, the technique of inlaying silver/gold was adapted to suit Aegean taste and style.

Styles / Movements

Middle Eastern, Moorish, Traditional

Patterns

Asian/Oriental, Traditional

Incollect Reference Number

418493