Arts of the Islamic World and India

An Ottoman 'Tulip Period' marble fountain, Turkey, 18th century

VAT applies to buyers outside the UK

Auction Closed

April 24, 03:45 PM GMT

Estimate

20,000 - 30,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

of rectangular shape with a rounded upper section, the white marble decorated with arabesques, carved tulips and ranunculi in vases, the central section with a carved niche mounted with a brass tap, surmounted by a mirror in an arched cavity

124 by 76cm.

This lot should have an alpha symbol in the printed catalogue. If the purchase is to remain in the UK the item will be sold to you as if there was no VAT symbol, i.e. no VAT on the hammer price. If the purchase is to be exported outside the UK the item will be sold to you as if there was a dagger in the catalogue, although, subject to proof of export, no VAT will be charged on the hammer price unless you are VAT registered in the UK. Please refer to the printed catalogue for further VAT information.

Ex-collection Robert Kime (1946-2022)

The present fountain displays characteristic features of the Ottoman 'Tulip Period' architecture from the early 18th century. This naturalistic decorative repertoire derives from the Edirnekārī technique that emerged in the second half of the seventeenth century in relation with contemporary European art. The floral imagery of tulips and ranunculi in vase was introduced in architecture during the reign of Sultan Ahmed III (r.1703-30), as visible in the so-called 'Fruit Room' in the Topkapi Palace. Other contemporary marble fountains were decorated in the same style, including the Sultan Ahmed III fountain in front of the Topkapi palace and the Tophane fountain in the Beyoglu district.

These fountains share a common feature inspired from the Safavid and Mughal chini-khana, a "space with recessed niches designed specifically for the display of precious vessels" (M.S. Graves and B. Junod 2011, p.348). On the present fountain, vases are similarly displayed in cut-out mihrab-like arched niches.