Salaams I think the give away sign of a spun decorated item is in its repeat pattern which because of the fast turning of the work and being rammed by a spinning die is cut in seconds requiring only finishing hand work by the artesan..by chisel and mallet . The bulk of the pattern is done by this rudimentary lathe. The centre dot is there because that is the method by which the item is secured so it does not move when spun ramming is taking place. This is the ancient technique of spun decoration; not the same thing as modern lathe spinning. Sometimes you see two dots at the centre where it has slipped giving a double strike rather blurred pattern ... I assume the work is flat but later in the case of a shield or bowl the item is hand worked to shape.
The famous book by Rachel Ward on Islamic Metalwork refers.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.
