THE TILES OTTOMAN SYRIA, LATE 16TH CENTURY

Our central tile panel is identical to another found in the Robert Mouawad Private Museum in Beirut, formerly the house of Henri Pharaon (John Carswell, The Future of the Past, the Robert Mouawad Private Museum, Beirut, 2005, pp.268-9, no.103). Further tiles identical to ours can be found in the Louvre, Paris (MAO 2295⁄2); another tile panel was sold in these Rooms, 26 April 2012, lot 239. Tiles from exactly this cartoon can also be found in the Salimiye madrasa in Damascus dating from 1566. They stray from our colour palette however in their use of the traditional Damascene apple green. The border tiles here find similarities in design with a border tile in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (68.215.12). Both share the same floriated tendrils and central palmette. Another tile of the same cartoon was sold in Christie’s Paris, 1 June 2006, lot 253.

As a result of Ottoman economic deterioration and increased European presence and tourism, Damascus tiles began to make their way into Europe as souvenirs from the region. Local Damascus residents sold tiles as a means to raise cash to eager tourists. The fact that these tiles have survived as two cohesive sets is impressive. The later incorporation of the tiles into the European-style table is perhaps a reflection of the European fascination with Iznik and Damascus tiles. (Arthur Milner, Damascus Tiles, London, 2015, p.218). Two tables inlaid with Iznik and Damascus tiles were sold in these Rooms, 19 October 1993, lot 376A.