- 241
An Ottoman Tombak Vessel with Byzantine or Roman Porphyry Lid, Turkey, 18th/19th Century
Estimate
8,000 - 12,000 GBP
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Description
- porphyry and metal (gilt copper and possibly lead)
the deeply curved tombak cylindrical basin with a flat wide rim supporting a gently curving lid carved from porphyry, mounted with a gilt crescent moon
Condition
In good condition, some slight abrasion to external edges of porphyry and few minor chips on surface, particularly to interior, tombak bowl in good condition, some rubbing to gilding, 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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
This unique vessel comprises an Ottoman tombak bowl with a curved, dark purple porphyry lid mounted by a gilt crescent moon. Such deep purple, or 'Imperial Porphyry', was historically mined during the Roman Empire on Mons Porphyrites, in the Red Sea mountains of eastern Egypt. Under the Byzantine Empire, to be born in the chamber of porphyra was a legitimising symbol of one's Imperial status or 'porphyrogenitos'.
When these Roman quarries came into disuse after the third century AD, porphyry was recycled from ancient spolia. This is most probably the case on the present vessel, whose porphyry lid was possibly re-carved at the time that the rest of the vessel was made during the Ottoman period. It is an object that carries multiple symbols of power, from the early Roman and Byzantine Imperial associations of porphyry to the triumph of Islam and the grandeur of the Ottoman court as expressed by the crescent moon.
When these Roman quarries came into disuse after the third century AD, porphyry was recycled from ancient spolia. This is most probably the case on the present vessel, whose porphyry lid was possibly re-carved at the time that the rest of the vessel was made during the Ottoman period. It is an object that carries multiple symbols of power, from the early Roman and Byzantine Imperial associations of porphyry to the triumph of Islam and the grandeur of the Ottoman court as expressed by the crescent moon.