A large, round copper platter, probably for carrying food, chased and engraved. The upper side features two areas with inscriptions within a raised rim (H: 1.5 cm):
1: An engraved inscription in Greek script: ‘Konstadinos Adanadis (or Asanadis)’, who must have been the first owner of the present platter.
2: Facing the Greek inscription is an engraving in the form of an Ottoman ‘Tughra’ (a sultan’s symbol or seal) with decorations in the form of floral and leafy tendrils. This ‘Thugra’ contains an inscription in Arabic script (probably a master’s mark) and a date in Arabic numerals: 1158 = the year 1745 according to our calendar! This date falls within the reign of Sultan Mahmud I. (1730-1754).
In addition to the above, the finely executed engravings on the the front of the platter depict a centaur with bow and arrow, a mermaid with the body of a fish, a goose with a snake in its beak, six fish and three trees with one bird each, as well as six circular bands of lines and waves around the centre made of dark copper.
An historically interesting piece with small remains of former silvery tin coating. With age-related minor dents, otherwise no damage.
Dated: 1745. DM: 76 cm. (ME)