A Parcel-gilt and Nielloed Silver Sprinkler, Turkey, circa 1700

the squat baluster body on a broad splayed foot, the slender cylindrical neck rising from a bulbous moulding to a bud-form mouth, with repousse, chased and punched decoration highlighted with niello of lobed ogival medallions of floral sprays on a ground of flowering stems issuing from stylised floral motifs and retained with curved band work, the neck with spiralling bands alternately of geometric motifs and scrolling vegetal designs, the mouth stamped with the French import mark of swan 

Couleurs d'Orient, Brussels, 2010

Brussels 2010, p.79

In general good condition, minor knocks, slight tarnishing, 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 delightful sprinkler, though not marked, can be dated by the similarity of its decoration to other datable pieces. This group evolves from a form of traditional seventeenth metalwork to include the floral sprays of European origin that are introduced into the Ottoman decorative vocabularly in the eighteenth century during the reign of Ahmed III (r.1703-1730). A silver pencase stamped with the tughra of that sultan carries decoration very similar to that found on this sprinkler and can, consequently, be considered to be of a similar date (Kurkman 1996, p.151).