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Lot 119

An Ottoman gilt copper (Tombak) bowl with the names of The Seven Sleepers
Turkey, 15th/ 16th Century

Amended
25 October 2021, 11:00 BST
London, New Bond Street

£20,000 - £30,000

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An Ottoman gilt copper (Tombak) bowl with the names of The Seven Sleepers
Turkey, 15th/ 16th Century

of shallow rounded form with flattened base, chased and engraved to well with a large roundel containing a flower head surrounded by a star and inscriptions with the names of the seven sleepers and their dog
12.5 cm. diam.

Footnotes

Inscriptions: the names of the Seven Sleepers of Ephesus and their dog.

The Seven Sleepers of Ephesus, also known as Companions of the Cave in Islam or Aṣḥāb al-Kahf, is a medieval legend about Christian believers who lived during the reign of the Roman Emperor, Decius (201-251 CE) and were persecuted for their religion. To escape persecution, the youths escaped to a cave which the Emperor later sealed. The cave was opened 300 years later, and the seven sleepers and their dog were woken from their slumber. They thought that they had been asleep for a day, only to realise that over 300 years had passed. Christianity had now become the dominant religion of the Roman Empire, and a bishop was summoned to interview the sleepers and their miracle story. The Qu'ran refers to this story in a sura titled al-Kahf, in verses 8-26.

Saleroom notices

Please note that the bowl is stamped to the side with a maker's mark reading 'Sayyid Sabri...'.

Additional information