Engraved Islamic Brass Kettle for Hand Washing

This water kettle is from the Islamic Nupe people of central Nigeria and was executed in Bida. It is engraved in scrolling and wiling motifs that are characteristic of Nupe design. The lid fits in the well of the top of the kettle; it is not hinged.

The base is engraved with the words: ‘ADAMUMAKERI BIDA’. A silver bowl attributed to Islamic Nigeria with similar engraved work is illustrated in Al-Jadir, S.,Arab and Islamic Silver, Stacey International, 1981, p. 81.