Name of Object:

Bowl (settla)

Location:

Algiers, Algeria

Holding Museum:

National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts

About National Museum of Antiquities and Islamic Arts, Algiers

Date of Object:

Hegira 925–1245 / AD 1519–1830

Museum Inventory Number:

II.MI.026

Material(s) / Technique(s):

Hammered, embossed and incised copper.

Dimensions:

Height 9.7 cm, diameter of the opening 16.2 cm

Period / Dynasty:

Ottoman

Provenance:

Algiers.

Description:

This hemispherical bowl is equipped with a handle that has a ring placed centrally on top and is linked to the body of the bowl via two welded hooks. The two decorative registers, featuring floral ornamentation in relief that covers the body, are divided by narrow, incised geometric decoration. The background of the object is decorated with a rosette that has six petals. Inside, an inscription in cursive lettering specifies that the settla is a habus (religious bequest) for the benefit of Sidi Abdarrahman al-Thaalibi.
In the past, Algerian women used this utensil to store their soap, comb, sponge and hairpins while they used the hammam (baths). However, horse-riders also used it as a drinking mug. With the help of a cord and without getting off their horse, riders would throw the settla into wells or other basins in order to draw water. In the Moorish cafes of the countryside, it would be used for ablutions and to serve clients water. For short journeys, the settla was used instead of a stew-pot, in which the rider would cook whatever would sustain him when he was hungry.
The individual cited in the text, Abdarrahman al-Thaalibi (AH 784–874 / AD 1383–1470), was a saint and a scholar. In Algiers, one can find a mosque in his name that also houses his mausoleum.

Bowl with a handle decorated with parallel bands of floral decoration or incised geometric elements. The bottom of the bowl is decorated with a rosette. A cursive inscription on the inside of the handle is dedicated to Sidi Abdarrahman. It was used in the baths or as part of a horseman's kit.

How date and origin were established:

From the style in which the floral decoration was executed as well as the elements used, both of which can be seen in abundance at the stalls of brassware dealers in the lower Kasbah of old Algiers.

How provenance was established:

Algiers was the main centre of manufacture for this type of brassware.

Selected bibliography:

Baghli, S., Al-Djazair, Algiers, 1982.
Eudel, P., Dictionnaire des bijoux de l'Afrique du Nord, Maroc, Algérie, Tripolitaine, Paris, 1906.
Eudel, P., L'orfèvrerie algérienne et tunisienne, Paris, 1902.
Marçais, G., L'Algérie médiévale, monuments et paysages historiques, Paris, 1957.
Marçais, G., Le musée Stéphane Gsell, musée des antiquités et d'art musulman d'Alger, Algiers, 1950.

Citation of this web page:

Ali Benbella "Bowl (settla)" in Discover Islamic Art, Museum With No Frontiers, 2024. https://islamicart.museumwnf.org/database_item.php?id=object;ISL;dz;Mus01;30;en

Prepared by: Ali BenbellaAli Benbella

Maître-assistant à l'Institut d'archéologie de l'université d'Alger, titulaire d'un magister en archéologie islamique, conservateur du patrimoine archéologique et historique, ancien chef du service Conservation et Valorisation (section islamique) au Musée national des antiquités, Ali Benbella a participé à plusieurs fouilles sur les sites médiévaux algériens de Mansourah (Tlemcen) et Achir (Médéa). Il a contribué à la réalisation de plusieurs expositions et catalogues établis par le Musée national des antiquités, entre autres Arts Céramiques et L'art islamique d'après une collection privée, et participé à la deuxième conférence sur les “Musées de la Méditerranée, nouveaux concepts et nouvelles perspectives” (Stockholm, 09-12 mai 2003).
Parmi ses publications, il faut citer sa contribution aux Cahiers d'Achir (rapport de fouilles, 1994), ainsi que plusieurs articles en arabe dans la revue Annales du Musée national des antiquités, le dernier sous le titre : “Pavillon des arts islamiques du Musée national des antiquités”. Il est l'auteur, dans le Medelhavsmuseet Bulletin (Stockholm, 2004), d'un article en anglais intitulé : “The National Museum of Antiquities in Algiers”.
Copyedited by: Margot Cortez
Translation by: Maria Vlotides
Translation copyedited by: Monica Allen

MWNF Working Number: AL 54