An antique Persian or Northern Indian Islamic hand carved wood kashkul or beggars bowl, the most emblematic accoutrement of the wandering dervish. The typically boat shaped vessel is made from wood and inlaid with Mother of Pearl foliage, floral and Calligraphy ornaments. Dervishes used them primarily to collect and store alms, their main source of sustenance, and occasionally as drinking vessels. In later centuries many were marketed as decorative objects. The kashkul has a number of metaphorical associations. It represents the cleansing of a Sufi’s soul of all extraneous earthly desires in preparation for the acceptance of Divine love and a dervish’s life of poverty. Circa: late 19th to early 20th century. Antique Arabic Islamic Art, Hand Carved Natural Materials Wares For Collectors.