sürahi

Sürahi is a traditional Turkish water pitcher, or ewer, used for serving water and for ritual cleansing before prayers. In everyday life and in hospitality, it accompanied meals and guest rituals, and in religious settings it could be used for ablutions. The form is typically a rounded or pear-shaped body with a long, narrow neck, a curved spout, and a single handle; some examples include a lid to preserve the water or to prevent spills.

Materials vary widely. Many sürahiler are made of brass or copper, sometimes silver-plated, and stoneware or glass versions exist as well. Metal versions may be plain or heavily decorated, featuring hammered surfaces, engraving, inlay with niello or enamel, and geometric or floral motifs. The decoration often reflects broader Ottoman and Islamic artistic traditions.

Historically, the sürahi was a common component of domestic tableware and ceremonial hospitality across Anatolia and the broader Islamic world. It appeared in ensembles with serving trays (tepsi) and other vessels as expressions of generosity and refinement. In modern times, sürahiler are collected as folk art and preserved in museum collections; they also appear as decorative objects in homes, illustrating traditional Turkish craft and hospitality.