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