This brass vessel is known as a 'ceret'. Ceret are kettles with rich ornamentation used during ceremonial occasions. The body of this vessel is cast in a bulbous form with panels decorated in ornate floral and geometric motifs. Ceret were usually patterned after bronze ones. They were made in four parts comprising the lid, the body, the spout and the handle cast separately then soldered together. An interesting feature of this type of kettle is the hollow lid soldered to the body. The lid is false and non-functioning while the real lid is at the apex of the round handle. Water is poured through this aperture on the handle. These kettles are used to serve drinking water during weddings or festivals.
