A tas (or hamam tası) is a traditional metal bowl used in Ottoman Turkish hammams (baths) for scooping water to pour over the body during bathing. They are often made of metal, usually brass, copper, or silver. Usually these are decorated with intricate designs, calligraphy or are incised with prayers and the name of the owner. In the photograph, the bronze tas is decorated with Islamic characters and script.
mmr-00108 > Bronze tas, Brass, 18th century
mmr-00033 > Brass tas (bath bowl), Brass, 1990
mmr-00104 > Brass tas (bath bowl), Brass, 19th century
You can see these exhibits up close, along with many others, in the 1st-floor exhibition room of CVAR.
