Lot 172
  • 172

A Kutahya pottery coffee table top, Turkey, 19th century

Estimate
12,000 - 15,000 GBP
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Description

  • ceramics
comprising a central circular tile with eight fitted tiles surrounding it, set on a custom plexiglass table

Condition

Tiles in general good condition and intact except for: no. 1. small break and restoration to lower left-hand edge, no. 3: break and restoration and small chip with restoration to lower left-hand edge, no. 7: broken in two parts with associated restoration, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Catalogue Note

inscriptions

In thuluth:

Adem bu bezm-i devr-i dilaraye bir gelir
Dunya icun vucudunu sarf etme bosh yere
Bil kadr-i omrunu kishi dunyaye bir gelir
At bashi beraber arak-i bade surulsun
Nakd-i hayat merdum-i danaye bir gelir
Donsun koshu meydanina meydan-i harabat
Bir cam ile kalsa nola eyvan-i harabat
Cem gitdi bozulmakdadir erkan-i harabat

This circular table top is composed of eight tiles around a circular central panel that bears a rosette with the inscription ‘Yadegar’, souvenir, in thuluth script. This inscription, which refers to the purpose of production, infers that these tiles were probably commissioned as a souvenir from Kuthaya. The table top is painted in polychrome bearing archetypal Ottoman arabesque ornamentation. A similar table is recorded in Garo Kurkman, Toprak, Ates, Sir – Kutahya Cini ve Seramikleri, Suna ve Inan Kirac Vakfi, Istanbul, 2005, p. 230.