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Pewter Ibrik (pitcher)

 Item
Identifier: CBS-ART-003

Content Description

Bosnian water pitcher (ibrik) from the Ottoman period, hand-wrought from pewter and repaired many times.

The Bosnian ibrik is a traditional long-necked pitcher, heavily tied to the country's rich coffee culture. They are traditionally made from forged copper or brass and sometimes lined with tin. While the broader term "ibrik" historically refers to a water ewer or the small coffee-brewing pot itself, in Bosnian tradition it is an ornate, long-spouted vessel used for pouring water during the ritual preparation of authentic, unfiltered Bosnian coffee. The accompanying small, wide-bottomed, long-handled pot (usually copper) in which the water, sugar, and finely ground coffee are actually brewed and boiled is called a Cezve (or Džezva).

In Bosnian culture, coffee is a profound social ritual often referred to as kahva. The ibrik plays a crucial role in this tradition by holding the hot water needed to prepare the coffee. Hand-hammered and often decorated with intricate, traditional Bosnian motifs, the ibrik represents hospitality and community.

Dates

  • Ottoman-era style (late-15th – mid-19th century)

Extent

1 Items (None) : Evidence of repairs over many years ; 13 x 7.5 x 7 in.

Language of Materials

English

Related Resource

For additional details about the coffee culture in BiHm see:

Traditional Copper Coffee Set [CBS-ART-004]

Title
Traditional Pewter Ibrik
Subtitle
Water Pitcher
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Center for Bosnian Studies Repository

Contact:
Pius XII Memorial Library, LA-402
Saint Louis University
3650 Lindell Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63108 United States
314-977-3596