POSSIBLY NORTHERN EUROPE OR RUSSIA FOR THE OTTOMAN MARKET, FIRST HALF 19TH CENTURY

This heavily gilt vase is decorated with gilt bronze mounts. They are stamped with an Ottoman mark which reads ‘brinj’ indicating that it was imported into Istanbul. The Ottoman Turkish word derives from Persian and means ‘brass or bronze’. This type of flamboyant furniture was very much in fashion at the Ottoman court throughout the 19th century and although the samovar was probably made in Western Europe, its lid topped with a crescent and star leaves no doubt as to its intended destination. As discussed in the note to the previous lot there are records of important gifts made by European rulers such as Empress Eugénie of France to the Ottoman court and this luxurious piece could well have been sent as diplomatic gift to Istanbul.