Lot 154
  • 154

A rare Chinese monochrome blue porcelain ewer with Ottoman gem-set tombak mounts, Ming dynasty, late 16th century, and Turkey, 16th/17th century

Estimate
80,000 - 120,000 GBP
bidding is closed

Description

  • Ceramic with gilt brass mounts set with turquoise and colourful stones
the pear shaped ceramic body with deep blue glaze and arched strap handle, the tombak spout and rim set with turquoise and colourful stones, including orange chalcedony

Condition

Lid missing, body intact and in good condition, 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."

Catalogue Note

This elegant ewer combines a late-Ming ceramic body with gem-set Ottoman tombak mounts creating a refined impression, underlying the cosmopolitan nature of the Ottoman court through its combination of artistic influences. Four comparable ewers are in the Topkapi Palace Museum, Istanbul (see R. Krahl, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, no.1642). The spout with dragonhead terminal on the present example is particularly notable and it is interesting to compare it with another ewer of similar form, with a deep rich blue glaze and related spout terminal in the Topkapi Palace Museum, inv. no. TKS 15/2696.

Although the present example is missing its cover, it may be suggested that this article was also of Ottoman make and would have resembled the jewelled cover on a Ming dynasty ewer also in the Topkapi Sarayi Museum, Istanbul, inv. no. 15/2944 (D. Roxburgh, Ed.; Turks: A journey of a thousand years, 600-1600, London, Royal Academy of Arts, 2005, p.359, no.348).

Over ten thousand Chinese ceramics ranging from the late Song to the Qing period ended up in the Topkapi palace treasury. The present ewer attests to this admiration for Chinese ceramics by the Ottoman court, as well as the special care taken to preserve and restore such artworks through the addition of Ottoman mounts.