Giorgio - Bottle - Tin - pilgrim bottle

Ancient Greek pilgrim/travel pewter bottle from Cyprus – dated 1895 – hand-engraved Orthodox folk art

Rare hand-engraved metal bottle from Cyprus or the Greek-Balkan region, dated “1895”. The piece belongs to a group of traditional flat travel and pilgrim bottles, as used in the 19th century in Orthodox-influenced Southeast Europe. Comparable examples are known from Greece, Epirus, Cyprus, and the Ottoman-influenced Balkan region. The bottle features on both sides elaborate engraved folk-art ornaments. Particularly noteworthy is the central anthropomorphic depiction with radiating or wing-like elements, presumably an Orthodox protective or blessing symbol. The reverse bears a finely engraved laurel wreath.

Along the edge is a hand-engraved inscription with Greek letters and the date “1895”. The inscription reads (“διά χειρός …” = “by the hand of ‘Giorgio’ / ‘ΓΙΩΡΓΙΟ’”). On the reverse is engraved “KYΠΡΙΑ” Cyprus.

Such bottles were traditionally used for water, oil, spirits or on pilgrimages and combine practical use with religious or folk symbolism.

Condition
Beautiful authentic condition with age-related patina and signs of wear. Original screw cap present. The engravings are well preserved and give the object a strong ethnographic presence.

An exceptional collectible for enthusiasts of Greek folk art, Orthodox antiques and ethnographic objects of the 19th century.