Moroccan tin glazed earthenware or faience pilgrim water flask antique 19th century hand painted with polychrome Arabesque foliate geometric pattern

An interesting and very decorative example of antique Moroccan tin glazed earthenware or faience hand painted water flask or pilgrim flask dating from the late 19th century circa 1890. (Ref 1).

This lovely Moroccan pottery water bottle, flask or berrada has been hand painted with a traditional Islamic foliate geometric and arabesque design in underglaze blue, turquoise and yellow colours with a manganese purple outline. This lovely flask or bottle has the typical soft, thick and creamy white tin glaze found on maiolica, delft ware or faience. 

This beautiful antique ceramic item is of a flattened globular shape with a garlic bulb neck and flared drinking opening it also has an applied loop handle. It probably originates from Fez in the Fès-Meknès region of Morocco North Africa. This city is renowned from it's ceramic manufacturing history dating back from the 8th century.

It would display beautifully if hung on a wall or stood on a dresser or kitchen cupboard rack. The black wooden display stand in the images is also included in the sale

Condition: Good antique condition, with typical flaking of the glaze to the rim and minor firing imperfections and stilt marks to the front and rear, all of which adds to it's charm. The neck and handle have been broken off in the past and glued back into place, there is a small amount of overpainting to disguise this damage. Please see the images.

The flask is 9 inches (22.8 cm) long, approximately 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) diameter and is 3 5/8 inches (9.2 cm) deep, it weighs 727 grammes unpacked.

Free UK postage with this item, International postage at cost.

References

1. For a similarly decorated vase and water bottle or berrada  - see the Victoria and Albert Museum online collection - item numbers -1565-1871 and 1570-1871 (V and A , Cromwell Road, Kensington, London, SW7 2RL)
2. Similar design flask different decoration Portland Art Museum 2011.140.53 (Portland Oregon USA)
3. A similar item is also in the Museum of Emery Walker who was a great friend, William Morris. (Emery Walker’s House Trust )