This 19" x 26" hammered brass tray from Pakistan was purchased in 1975. Brought back from Pakistan after Jim Wickwire's and Lou Whittaker's K2 adventure in 1975. This tray comes with a true adventurer's story!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Wickwire

And the story - in his own words...

"In April 1975, our ten member expedition was in Pakistan’s old frontier city, Rawalpindi.  We were on our way to attempt to climb K2, the world’s second highest mountain.  But poor weather in the mountains delayed us for several days in making the final short short flight into Skardu, the last town from which we would start our 100-mile trek to base camp.  

Lou Whittaker and I took advantage of the delay to spent long hours in the Raja Bazaar looking for interesting copper and brassware to take back home.  We searched down back alleys and in dark back rooms and basements before we found intriguing several items, including the large copper tray being offered in this auction.  It is part of the game to bargain with the vendors for the best price, which we did with relish.  We failed in reaching the summit of K2 that first time, but returned with a larger team three years later to make the first American ascent of the mountain.  In pairs a day apart, four of us were fortunate to stand on the summit."                                              

                                                                                                                                                  Jim Wickwire