A large Mamluk canteen with footed cover, Egypt or Syria, 15th century

composed of a copper alloy, of elongated octagonal form with fitted cover and upturned foot handle, body with thick central band decorated with two fields of thuluth calligraphy interspersed with vegetal grounds and eight roundels, four containing heraldic blazons, lid decorated ensuite, larger interlacing split-palmettes to top

In fair overall condition, various knocks, dents and abrasions, decoration slightly rubbed, some oxidisation to interior, two old repairs visible on interior, as viewed.
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James Allan relates the shape of these canteens to their function as vessels that could be stacked (in sets of two or three), with a lid that could serve as a dish, and a handle which could serve as the foot (see J.W. Allan, 'Later Mamluk Metalwork - II. A series of lunch-boxes', Oriental Art, xvii, no.2, 1971, pp.156-64). A very similar canteen, described as a 'lunch box' (mathaqiyya), inscribed to Saif al-din Damurdash (officer), of al-Malik al-Ashraf, Amir Dawadar of His Majesty in Aleppo, and ascribed to Damurdah al-Ashrafi is illustrated in Mayer 1959, p.113, PL. LXV.I. Another is in the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, inv. no.M.2002.1.603a-b.

See also, G. Wiet, Catalogue du Musee Arabe, Objets en Cuivre, Cairo, 1932, nos.3368, 3953, 3954, 8453, 8999, 9008, for a series of canteens with similar inscriptions, made for local emirs and merchants.