A wonderful and highly decorative old pottery pilgrim flask / canteen, believed to be of Persian or wider Middle Eastern origin.

The flask has a distinctive flattened circular body with twin loop handles and a short flared neck. Both sides have been individually hand painted with colourful aquatic-inspired decoration, including stylised fish/bird-like creatures, foliage and flowing water motifs.

Decorated predominantly in turquoise blue, green, ochre, red and black over a pale ground, with further painted decoration continuing around the edge of the flask.

The piece has considerable surface wear, paint loss, rubbing and age-related patination, giving it a fantastic authentic decorative appearance. There is also an old wire suspension/hanging arrangement fitted between the handles.

The exposed areas appear to show a reddish/buff earthenware pottery body beneath the painted surface.

Believed this to be an antique piece, possibly 19th century / Qajar period or early 20th century, although the exact age and origin have not been independently authenticated, so please study all photographs and make your own assessment.

A particularly attractive piece of antique folk / Islamic pottery that displays extremely well and would make an unusual addition to a collection of Persian, Middle Eastern or ethnographic ceramics.

Condition: Antique condition with substantial age-related surface wear, paint loss, marks, rubbing and patination throughout. Wear/chipping around the neck and rim as photographed. The old suspension wire is rusty and has been left exactly as found. No restoration or cleaning has been attempted