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Lot Essay
A common feature of the two silver dishes offered here (lots 34 and 35) is the distinctive central motif of the Argead Star, which was renamed, following the excavation in 1977 of Philip II's tomb in Vergina, the Vergina Sun. The Argead Star was the standard of Macedonia when Philip II reigned as king and was placed on many artefacts as a symbol of Macedonian identity. Little discourse exists on the usage of the symbol beyond the Hellenistic period and, indeed, in the 20th century, but due to the existence of the dishes offered here as well as a small group in the Notaras collection, Greece, (Korre-Zografou, op. cit., T2, 3, 4 and 6), dating between the 15th and 18th centuries it is clear that the symbol was clearly appropriated by later, local, cultures.
The bowl offered here, distinctively decorated with a parade of animals beneath stylised arches, clearly draws on motifs found in Islamic art and architecture which is explained by the fact that the region was under Ottoman rule from the 1430s onwards. These motifs are repeated in a number of other bowls dating to the 16th century also in the Notaras collection (ibid., T10, 13 and 16).
Another highly comparable silver bowl decorated with a band of animals contained within and architectural border was sold in Bonhams, London, 17 Aprils 2007, lot 152 (£38,400).
The bowl offered here, distinctively decorated with a parade of animals beneath stylised arches, clearly draws on motifs found in Islamic art and architecture which is explained by the fact that the region was under Ottoman rule from the 1430s onwards. These motifs are repeated in a number of other bowls dating to the 16th century also in the Notaras collection (ibid., T10, 13 and 16).
Another highly comparable silver bowl decorated with a band of animals contained within and architectural border was sold in Bonhams, London, 17 Aprils 2007, lot 152 (£38,400).