Arabian Brass Dallah Coffee Pot (Patent No. Base & Etched Foliate Design), Circa 1960s 🇸🇦☕️⚙️
This is a top-shelf, ornamental Arabian Dallah (traditional coffee pot) crafted from brass, serving as a primary cultural artifact of Arabic hospitality (Gahwa).
The Dallah is classified as a unique documented asset, featuring a rare "PATAT NO." (Patent Number) inscription on its base, providing verifiable industrial and intellectual property metadata.
Its value is secured by the intricate etched decoration and the unique patent documentation, appealing to collectors of specialized global metalware.
2. About the Artwork/Book/Object 📖✍️✨ The vessel is defined by its long, curved spout, tall, spiked conical finial, and hinged domed lid. It is made of heavy brass, which has been extensively decorated with a technique of etching through the brass to create a detailed, contrasting pattern of foliate scrolls and waves.
The base is heavily inscribed in Arabic script and English. The script is radial and includes elements that translate to religious blessings and possibly a 1968 production date (Arabic numerals visible). The presence of the phrase "PATAT NO." confirms that the Dallah's design was formally registered.
3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️ This Dallah is the product of master metalworkers from the Middle East or North Africa, carrying on a centuries-old tradition of ornamental metalwork. The highly standardized form is essential to the ritual of Arabian coffee service, suggesting the manufacturing was carried out by a specialized workshop.
The unique Patent Number inscription suggests a modern manufacturing context where the producer protected the form or mechanism of the Dallah against imitation. The existence of the blue "Original Dallah" retail sticker indicates this was sold as a premium, authentic local item.
4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜 This Dallah was likely manufactured in the Mid-to-Late 20th Century (Circa 1960s), a period marked by increased international travel and the commercialization of traditional cultural items.
The pot is a tangible artifact of the centuries-old tradition of Gahwa, which remains the central expression of hospitality and social interaction across the Arabian Peninsula. The "PATAT NO." on the base reflects a unique historical intersection where ancient craft met modern industrial protection through global patent law.
5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️ This Dallah is an essential acquisition for a curator of Middle Eastern Decorative Arts, Arabic Cultural Artifacts, or Specialized Industrial Heritage.
It is ideally suited for a collector who specializes in documented cultural vessels and recognizes the scarcity of patent metadata on traditional metalware. The item’s strong cultural pedigree and unique base inscription ensure it belongs in a sophisticated, globally-focused collection.
6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️ This Dallah is approximately 50 to 70 years old, surviving as a heavy, ornamental piece of metalware.
Its Bibliographical Scarcity is high due to the presence of the "PATAT NO." engraving, which is extremely rare on Dallahs and provides unique industrial documentation. The value is secured by the Cultural Premium of the ritualistic object and the verifiable metadata on its base.
7. Condition 🔎📚✨ The physical condition has been assessed directly from the provided high-resolution photography. The object is deemed to be in Good Vintage Condition, showing heavy, desirable patina.
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Structural Integrity: The body, spout, handle, and finial are structurally sound. The hinged lid is functional.
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Patina: The brass exhibits heavy, natural oxidation and patina, which creates a rich, dark contrast with the engraved areas.
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Markings: The "PATAT NO." and dense Arabic script are deeply inscribed and clearly visible on the base.
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Sticker: The original blue Arabic retail sticker is partially intact on the body.
8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩
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The Patent Mystery: The "PATAT NO." inscription is likely a phonetic misspelling of "PATENT NO." in the English alphabet, suggesting a maker who registered the specific non-drip mechanism or spout design for export.
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Gahwa Ritual: The coffee made in this pot is traditionally lightly roasted and served with cardamom to enhance the flavor, reflecting the desert heritage of the beverage.
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Symbolic Inscription: The Arabic script engraved on the base includes phrases that act as religious blessings and traditional maker's marks, embedding the pot with cultural significance.
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The Spout's Function: The long, thin, curved spout is designed to allow the server to pour the coffee into small, handleless cups (finjan) from a slight height, a necessary part of the service ritual.
9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰
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Object Type: Arabian Dallah Coffee Pot (Ornamental Metalware)
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Title: Arabian Brass Dallah Coffee Pot (Unique Patent No. Base)
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Maker: Unattributed Middle Eastern Artisan/Manufacturer
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Year/Period: Circa 1960s (Arabic numerals suggest 1968)
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Place of Origin: Middle East / North Africa
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Materials: Brass/Bronze, Etched/Engraved Decoration
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Motif: Foliate Scrollwork, Radial Arabic Script
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Dimensions (Approximate): 10 inches tall
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Verbatim Transcription (Base Details): "PATAT NO." (and radial Arabic script including "1968" and a central emblem/Arabic characters)