Carafe - Copper - ancient mezzina,

Ancient copper water jug, mezzina, handcrafted in copper and belonging to the Italian domestic and rural tradition.
It is an antique vessel, handmade and originally destined for everyday use to dip, transport and store water in homes. Objects of this type were commonly used in country houses, farmsteads, and rural settings, when water was drawn from wells, fountains, or cisterns and brought inside the house.
The main body features a broad, rounded and slightly flared shape, designed to offer good capacity and ease of transport. The lower part tapers progressively to a circular base, giving the whole a stable and well-proportioned appearance.
Equipped with a large, mobile arched handle, sturdy and functional, fastened to the body by rings and metal supports. On the opposite side there is a second, wide and curved side handle in copper, useful for lifting, tilting and pouring the contents with greater control.
The long side spout, slightly raised upward, allowed water to be poured in a practical and precise manner.
The upper opening is closed by a characteristic raised truncated-conical lid, also made of copper and connected to the vessel by a metal chain, a traditional solution adopted to prevent the lid from getting lost during use.
The object is made of copper assembled manually. The traces of artisanal work are clearly visible: joints, riveting, welds and metal irregularities, elements that confirm its authentic, non-industrial character.
Particularly interesting are the fixing points of the handles, made with applied plates and visible rivets. The construction is robust and functional, consistent with an item intended for daily and prolonged use.
The base is protected by a circular darkened band, presumably iron or a heavier metal, applied to stabilize the container and protect the bottom from wear caused by contact with floors and surfaces.
The surface preserves a rich and evocative patina of time, with brown, reddish and coppery tones, accompanied by darkening, oxidations and green-blue traces due to natural aging of copper. Abrasions, scratches, dents, deformations, and irregularities compatible with age and long practical use are also present.
The lived, unrestored appearance is an important part of the piece’s charm and testifies to its authentic rural past.
In the past, vessels like this mezzina were used daily to draw water from wells, fountains, or cisterns, transport it, and store it inside the house. The rounded shape ensured ample capacity, the large upper handle facilitated transport, the side handle allowed tilting the container, and the spout enabled controlled pouring. The lid protected the contents from dust and impurities, while the copper helped keep the water relatively cool.
Measurements
Height of the vessel without handle: about 35 cm.
Overall height with handle raised: about 45 cm.
Overall width from the handle to the spout: about 36 cm.
Maximum circumference of the body: about 92 cm. Diameter of base: 19 cm
Width from right-hand side to left-hand side: 30 cm
Weight: about 3 kg
Condition: the object is in a state consistent with its age and long use.
The lid is present, intact and connected to the vessel via its metal chain.
The object has not been polished or restored, to preserve its original patina and authentic appearance. Liquids tightness has not been tested.