A Ming blue and white porcelain ewer with ottoman silver mounts stamped with the tughra of Mehmed IV (R. 1642–1693), China, 16th century, and Turkey, 17th century

the squat globular body on a raised splayed foot and  slender tall neck, all of hexagonal faceted form, mounted at the mouth with a faceted collar chiselled with a floral scroll on a hatched ground and housing a faceted conical stopper, the narrow curved spout with a serpentine terminal, the double-curved handle retained by a brace around the neck and the foot, stamped with a tughra



 

Couleurs d'Orient, Brussels, 2010

Brussels 2010, p.44.

In general good condition, very slight pitting to ceramic, slight rubbing to external ribs, suggests piece may have possibly had earlier mounts, minor abrasion along some edges, firing crack to base of foot has extended vertically over time, 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."

The porcelain dates to the second quarter of the sixteenth century and bears a particularly elegant and attenuated form. A comparable ewer, also with Ottoman silver mounts of the seventeenth century, is in the collection of the Topkapi Saray (Krahl 1990, p.650, no.1002). It is of squater form than the present example and has a Xuande period mark on its base.