AN OTTOMAN SILVER EWER FOR HOLY WATER

TURKEY, PERIOD OF MAHMUD I (R.1730-54)

Details

AN OTTOMAN SILVER EWER FOR HOLY WATER
TURKEY, PERIOD OF MAHMUD I (R.1730-54)
With squat body rising from short splayed foot to waisted neck with pronounced collar, the double curving spout with original stopper, the separate lid with faceted knop finial decorated with garlands of flowerheads and bows, the neck similarly decorated, with foliated loop handle joining shoulder to the top of the neck and with original chain joining stopper to handle, two further chains issuing from the same loop in the handle and probably originally intended to join to an applied loop on either side of the body, each side of the body decorated with a vignette revealing a European-style architectural landscape, stamped with a toghra of Mahmud I
13 in. (32.5 cm.) high

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Lot Essay

This Ewer produced during the reign of the Ottoman Sultan Mahmud I clearly illustrates the growing artistic influence of European style in 18th century Istanbul. Despite its European inspired carved decorative architectural scene, this ewer was originally used for a specifically Islamic function. It would have been used to store holy water from the zamzam well brought back by muslim pilgrims from Mecca. Its highly decorative quality is also indicitive of the reign of Mahmud I, who gave more attention to his poetry compositions and the arts than he gave to affairs of state.

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