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$2,950
Monumental Moroccan Hand-Chased Brass Ceremonial Kettle on Stand, Fez, 1930 An extraordinary early-20th-century Moroccan ceremonial tea kettle and warming stand, handcrafted in solid brass and attributed to the celebrated metalworking workshops of Fez. Dating to approximately 1930, this monumental 41-inch-high ensemble is distinguished by its impressive scale, sculptural silhouette and exceptionally elaborate hand-worked decoration. The large removable kettle has a deeply lobed, pumpkin-shaped body, each rounded panel richly chased and engraved with scrolling flowers, leafy arabesques and traditional Islamic geometric ornament. The repoussé decoration gives the brass surface considerable depth, allowing the floral motifs to catch and reflect light from different angles. Its domed lid is similarly ornamented and finished with a tiered finial. A tall arched handle rises above the kettle, supported by decorative openwork mounts and fitted with a substantial cylindrical grip. The dramatically curved spout terminates in a stylized birdlike form, adding an elegant sculptural flourish to the otherwise architectural composition. The handle, lid and spout are all individually chased with complementary floral decoration. The kettle rests within a matching brass warming brazier. Its rounded, lobed body repeats the decorative language of the vessel above and incorporates a series of circular ventilation openings. The brazier would originally have accommodated hot coals to maintain the temperature of the water or tea during an extended ceremonial service. Due to its age, the ensemble is offered as a decorative collector’s object; its functionality has not been tested. Three tall, elaborately turned supports descend from the brazier to a graceful tripod base. Curving brackets, knopped baluster elements, small finials and scrolled feet give the stand an exceptionally refined and animated profile. The visual delicacy of the structure provides an elegant counterpoint to the substantial rounded kettle above. Signed and numbered beneath the kettle, this one-of-a-kind example reflects the sophisticated brassworking tradition for which Fez has long been admired. The signature and number have not been independently researched, but they add further interest for collectors of Moroccan metalwork and Islamic decorative arts. With an overall height of 41 inches and a widest diameter of approximately 19 inches, this is a monumental floor-standing object rather than an ordinary tabletop teapot. It would make an exceptional focal point in an entry hall, library, dining room, collector’s salon, hotel lobby or luxury hospitality interior. Its warm brass surface and intricate handwork would complement Moorish, Islamic, Mediterranean, Spanish Colonial, British Colonial, maximalist and sophisticated contemporary interiors.
