The item is a dish with purpose to serve in noble courts. It is made out of bronze with high quality craftsmanship and detailed ornaments. It has a religious meaning to it because it has verses from Quran, star of David and images of world history. It is a pretty confusing artifact because it contains a few contradicting types of images, for example verses from Quran and images animals, which is not an accepted type of art. Similar items we saw only in Bakhchysarai museum in south Crimea.
approximately 60 cm in diameter
We got it from our grandfather in Western Ukraine who received it from our Polish grandparents. Besides that we do not have much information about the origin of the item.
Hi Serhiy,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
This is most likely brass and the conflicting imagery and decorative motifs throughout suggest that it was made for the tourist trade in the Middle East in the mid/late 19th Century (the rationale was that tourists would not have known correct imagery from incorrect).
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An antique Middle Eastern incised and repousse brass tray
probably 19th Century
Of circular section with crimped scalloped rim, the center thickly engraved with varying Islamic and Judaic motifs, seemingly unmarked.
60 cm (23 1/2 inches) diameter
CONDITION: retains a lovely patina commensurate to age and use.
PROVENANCE: inherited
$500-800*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.