OTTOMAN TURKEY, PROBABLY 19TH CENTURY

John Carswell writes that whilst round pilgrim flasks have earlier prototypes, the rectangular flask is a new form in the 18th century. A similar flask to ours is in the Museum of Islamic Art, Cairo (published John Carswell, Kütahya Tiles and Pottery from the Armenian Cathedral of St. James, Jerusalem, vol.II, fig.20b, p.40). Like ours that has a rectangular body, though it is now lacking its neck, and its side is decorated with St. George slaying the dragon (only one side is illustrated). A similar, if slightly finer, flask was sold in these Rooms, 4 October 2012, lot 256.