A rare French enamelled glass spittoon or basin in the Mamluk style Philippe-Joseph Brocard, Paris, dated 1867

signed, of amber tint, the compressed globular form with wide everted rim with folded edge, painted on the body and interior of the rim with large rosettes within formal geometric foliate scroll, heightened in gilding and outlined in red

Very good condition with very minor wear to gilding.
"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."

Although relatively commonplace amongst the Islamic decorative arts, glass spittoons are very rare. If intended as a spitton, the present lot appears to be based on a Near Eastern example from the 14th century (see that attributed to Egypt in the Cleveland Museum of Art illustrated by Stefano Carboni and David Whitehouse, Glass of the Sultans, p.272, cat.no.135, and that sold in these rooms, 18th October 2001, lot 97). There is still some doubt as to the intended purpose of this object and one view is that it was used for water or some form of religious ceremony.