Bonhams 1793 : A large Iznik underglaze-painted pottery Tile Turkey, circa 1560

decorated in cobalt-blue and turquoise with black outlining on a white ground, with a central floral saz leaf, two sides with a partial rosette and two with a partial lotus flower, each issuing a tendril to form a whorl
32.8 x 32.8 cm.

Estimate:

£10,000 - 15,000
€12,000 - 18,000
US$ 15,000 - 23,000

Footnotes

Provenance: UK private collection.

Large tiles of this type can be found on the external walls of the tomb of Eyup Sultan on the Golden Horn. Eyup Sultan, also known as Abu Ayyub al-Ansari, was the standard-bearer of the Prophet Muhammad and was said to have been buried on this site during the Arab assault on Istanbul in AD 670. The tomb, which is greatly venerated by Muslims, is believed to hold the personal possessions of Muhammad.

Three examples of tiles of this type can be found in the British Museum, London (Venetia Porter, Islamic Tiles, London, 1995, p. 107, fig. 96); and two were sold at Christie's (Christie's, Islamic Art and Manuscripts, London, 27th April 2004, lots 243 and 342). Similar tiles can also be found on the exterior wall of the Rustem Pasha Mosque in Istanbul. For comparison, see Osmanisch-Turkisches Kunsthandwerk, Bayerischen Armeemuseum Ingolstadt, Neues Schloss, 1st September - 4th November 1979, pl. 37.