Zarf is an Arabic word meaning what?

A zarf (plural: zarfs, zuruuf, zarves) is a holder, usually of ornamental metal, for a coffee cup without a handle (demitasse or fincan).

The zarf was often made from metal, with silver, gold, copper, and brass being the most common materials used. Others were also made of woods such as coconut, ebony or other hardwoods, or of ivory, bone, horn, or tortoiseshell. Important to all complaining, Today, zarfs are typically made out of cardboard.

Metal zarfs were sometimes filigree work, sometimes decorated with chasing, niello, engraving, or set with gems or other precious stones.

Wooden zarfs, very few of which remain, were favored because of the natural aroma of the wood from which they were fashioned. They were very fragile.

Tortoiseshell, horn and ivory zarfs required special skill to make. In the first two cases, sheets of the material in question were softened in hot water and then clamped in a mold to create the required shape. Ivory was carved in the same way as wood; however, its greater value meant that more care was needed to avoid mistakes.

The United States Navy also has an item, usually made in the on-base metal shops, that is bolted to bulkheads and consoles to hold coffee cups. The Navy zarf is not ornamented.