OTTOMAN TURKEY, CIRCA 1570

Tiles of this series are identifiable in the decoration of the Topkapi Saray Palace, including in the Hirka-i Saadet and the library of Ahmed I. The present tile is notable because it retains its red and white borders. A tile of the same design and height as the present tile, which also retains its borders, is in the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha (John Carswell, Iznik, Doha, 2003, no.16, pp.66-67). Another tile with the same main design but different borders is known in a Los Angeles collection (Gerard Paquin, 'Çintamani', Hali, Vol. 64, August 1992, pp.111 and 146). A small number of related tiles have appeared on the art market. One of these was sold in these Rooms, 7 April 2011, lot 312.