Kuphar, The Round Boat

Background/Story

This Middle Eastern niello button depicts a Kuphar, a circular coracle of basketwork coated with bitumen that is specific to Iraq on the Tigris-Euphrates River system.

A kuphar (also transliterated kufa, kuffah, quffa, quffah, etc.^[1]) is a type of coracle or round boat traditionally used on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in ancient and modern Mesopotamia. Its circular shape means that it does not sail well against the current, as it tends to spin, but makes it safe, sturdy and easy to construct. A kuphar is propelled by paddling, rowing or poling.
– Wikipedia

By Baghdad in British Occupation by Freddy Khalastchy, PD-US, Link

Read more about the niello from the Middle East.