OTTOMAN TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY

Details

AN ARMENIAN GEMSET AND ENAMELLED RELIQUARY
OTTOMAN TURKEY, 17TH CENTURY
The pendant of ogival form with cusped edges, decorated in openwork with a pronounced cross with rosette centre and trefoil edges, two split palmettes emerging from the bottom and two pomegranates in the upper interstices, simple leafy scrolls decorated with white, green and blue enamels in between, the reverse with a central depression with hinged cover, the reverse of the cross and the vegetal motifs decorated with Christian imagery in gold reserved against deep blue or green ground, a later attachment loop above, and a single suspended pearl from the bottom and each edge
2½in. (6.4cm.) high excluding attachment loop

Sale room notice

Please note that this reliquary pendant dates to the 17th century rather than the 18th century as stated in the printed catalogue.

Brought to you by

Andrew Butler-Wheelhouse

Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this

abutler@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2196

If you wish to view the condition report of this lot, please sign in to your account.

View condition report

Lot Essay

The curved fronds at the base of the cross forming a typical Armenian cross identify that the patron of this reliquary was Armenian. A processional cross in the treasury of the Cathedral of Etchmaidzin has very similar enamel decoration and is embellished with inset gemstones and pearls in an almost identical fashion to this reliquary. That example is dated to the 18th century, (Dr. Sirarpie Der Nersessian, Treasures of Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, 1984).

More from Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds

View All