An early 20^th century Iraqi silver and niello Dallah coffee pot, Omara circa 1927-29, signed Abdul Jabbar

Of conventional form with a baluster body with a long-curved spout opposite a rattan covered loop strap handle. The domed hinged lid surmounted by a detachable notched finial, raised by a shell form thumbpiece. The body with niello decoration of a scene of the Tomb of Ezra, dhow sailing boats, boatmen in a gufa, and palm trees all above a niello band of meander scroll. The lid nielloed with similar boating vessels and a palm tree to the hinge, all above a nielloed striated edge. The spout with the Taq Kasra (Ruins of Ctesiphon) to one side and a dhow sailing boat to the other. Signed to the side.

Height – 16 cm / 6.25 inches

Weight – 404 grams / 12.99 ozt

Provenance: Purchased between 1927-29 by Reginald Jack Stone (1906-89), originally from Great Yarmouth who initially qualified for the RAF then unfortunately due to a motor bike accident could not continue flying. He took up the option of joining the RAF Rolls Royce Armoured car units in Iraq, serving in Basra. He met and married Gladys Baldwin (1896-1946), a nursing sister in Basra hospital. Thence by descent.