An engraved copper ewer, Ottoman 16th century, H.30cm
155
A fine Ottoman engraved tombak Ewer
Turkey, 17th Century
on a short flaring foot, with globular base, tapering elegant neck and domed hinged lid capped with rounded finial, the curved spout with faceted terminal and straight handle, the foot with an unidentified emblem
31 cm. high
Sold for £6,875 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • The shape of this ewer is very similar to a gilt tombak ewer in the Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts (Acc. no. M.212) datable to the early 18th century and which was originally in the turbe of of Sultan Selim I (Museum of Turkish and Islamic Art, Turkey, Akbank publication, 2000, p. 321). The fine quality of the copper work and engraving indicate it was produced for a wealthy patron.

    The emblem on the foot appears to be related to the Mamluk blazon of the cup-bearer saqi, the most common and pervasive heraldic emblem. Certain blazons did not disappear from use after the Ottoman conquest. The closest illustrated form of this can be found in L.A. Mayer, Saracenic Heraldry, Oxford, 1933, Plate LIV, no. 4, Plate LV, no. I.

Category: Islamic and Oriental Art / Islamic and Indian Art

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Contacts

Matthew Thomas Bonhams
Work
101 New Bond Street
London, W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Work +44 20 7468 8270
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Specialist - Islamic and Indian Art