A Fine and Rare Pair of Ottoman Silver-Inlaid and Enamelled Sherbet Cup and Saucers, Istanbul, Turkey, 19th century

the domed covers with gilt metal floral finial, with painted floral reserves bordered by inlaid silver scrolling decoration against a pale green ground, handle to shoulder and base with applied vegetal designs, saucers similarly decorated with undulating rim

The outstanding quality of these pieces leaves no doubt that they were produced at the imperial factory in Istanbul, either for the Dolmabahçe Palace or for one of the other Ottoman palaces in the city.  For comparable works, see Rogers, J.M., Topkapi. The Treasury, London, 1988, no. 98, p. 204, and Tasdelen, O., and A. Gürün, ed., Dolmabahçe Sarayi, Istanbul, (n.d.), no. 6, p. 213.