A large Iznik polychrome pottery dish, Turkey, circa 1575

of shallow rounded form, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue, viridian green and relief red, outlined in black, featuring a vase emanating sprays of tulips and hyacinths, with an arabesque motif in the centre, the rim with a series of lobed archways, the reverse with paired tulips 

In good condition, once broken and restored, with associated overpainting, minor chips to external edges, drill hole to rim, 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 present dish stands out for its deep and richly coloured design comprising tulip stems and hyacinths emanating from a vase and featuring chinoiserie motifs, within a petalled border. The production of Iznik pottery underwent an important revolution in technique and style during the mid-sixteenth century. Primarily due to the introduction of a new colour known as ‘Armenian bole’, a fresh tonal breadth was infused into the polychrome palette and catalysed the move towards the inclusion of predominantly floral and vegetal designs (Venetia Porter, Islamic Tiles, London 1995, pp.103-4). Armenian bole is a rich sealing-wax red pigment produced by combining silica and iron oxide. Its employment on Iznik ware spawned a “decorative style … in which tulips, hyacinths, carnations, roses and other flowers were depicted with great realism, along with other Chinese-inspired motifs, such as the lotus flower, chrysanthemum and peony” (Maria D’Orey Capicho Queiroz Riberio, Iznik Pottery and Tiles in the Calouste Gulbenkian Collection, Lisbon 2009, p.51).

This dish can be compared to two dishes in the Château d’Écouen, France, notably one with a combination of similar floral and chinoiserie motifs, inv. no. E.CI.8422 (DS 2437), dated to around 1580, and another with a comparable border, inv. no. E.CI.8298 (DS 2362) dated around 1590 (illustrated in Paris 2005, p.185, fig. 238 and p.252, fig. 381).