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This group of charming dishes comprise prime examples of 17th century figural Iznik pottery. They depict figures, both playful and reflective, surrounded by lush, iconographic flowers typically found on Iznik ware (Nurhan Atsoy and Julian Raby, Iznik: The Pottery of Ottoman Turkey, 1989, pp. 282-283 nos. 666-668). Iznik pottery depicting human figures is less commonly found in comparison to the floral designs most associated with Iznik dishes. The free-hand drawings are of subdued and natural colours and with their charming details, provide us with a glimpse in to the fashion and style of the period . The contemplative figure seen in lot 123 who seems to be staring intently at the tulips in his hand, has ‘Ya Allah’ above his head. This is particularly unusual and perhaps an indication of the changing tastes of Iznik pottery during the 17th century. The Ottoman court was commissioning less Iznik ware at the turn of the century, therefore its production began to be predicated on the taste of merchants and the local middle class, who began to become the major consumers of ceramic production. Comparable examples can be found in in the Sadberk Hanim Museum and Ömer Koç Collections (Hülya Bilgi, Dance of Fire, Istanbul, 2009, nos. 287-294, pp. 447-455). Auction examples include one sold in these Rooms, 26th April 2005, lot 58 and a further example which sold at Bonham’s London, 4th October 2011, lot 148.
A FIGURAL IZNIK POTTERY DISH
OTTOMAN TURKEY, FIRST HALF 17TH CENTURY
Details
A FIGURAL IZNIK POTTERY DISH
OTTOMAN TURKEY, FIRST HALF 17TH CENTURY
The white ground painted in cobalt-blue, bole-red, turquoise and black with a central standing figure surrounded by flowers, ya Allah above, the rim with alternating rosettes and leaves, the exterior with alternating stylised motifs, repaired breaks, chips to rim
11 7⁄8in. (30cm.) diam.
OTTOMAN TURKEY, FIRST HALF 17TH CENTURY
The white ground painted in cobalt-blue, bole-red, turquoise and black with a central standing figure surrounded by flowers, ya Allah above, the rim with alternating rosettes and leaves, the exterior with alternating stylised motifs, repaired breaks, chips to rim
11 7⁄8in. (30cm.) diam.
Brought to you by
Barney Bartlett
Junior Specialist