A BLUE AND WHITE POTTERY BOTTLE, OTTOMAN PROVINCES, LATE 16TH/EARLY 17TH CENTURY |

fritware of baluster form, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue on a white ground with palmette blossoms and finely swirling vines, the neck with vertical bands

Intact with few nicks to surface, 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."

This unusual bottle exemplifies the outward looking artistic developments of the Ottoman Empire. The design around the body and neck with wiry scrolls and palmettes relate to the blue-and-white designs of Iznik pottery whereas the use of such blue-and-white floral motifs was without doubt a design element that had its roots in Ming dynasty Chinese porcelain. However, the absence of petuntse, a powdery stone necessary for the production of porcelain, prevented artisans in the Islamic world from wholly imitating the art form, developing instead their own 'fritware'.  The glaze on this bottle, whilst uncharacteristic of Iznik, is visible on two blue-and-white jars in the Victoria & Albert museum, London (inv.no. 262-1905; 627-1902) and it has been suggested that there may have been a secondary, as yet not fully identified, ceramic production centre from which this bottle would have stemmed (Atasoy & Uluç 2012, p.137). The bottle’s form, with its knopped neck and flaring mouth, is reminiscent of Iznik sürahi flasks and similar shaped examples can be found in the collections of both the British Museum (inv.nos. G.167; 1878, 1230.465) and Victoria & Albert Museum (inv.no. 973-1875).