AN EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE KUTAHYA POLYCHROME POTTERY BOWL, TURKEY, MID-18TH CENTURY

Christie's London, 19 October 1993, lot 376.

This Kütahya bowl stands out for its exceptionally large size. The closest example in terms of size and shape which we have been able to find is in the Benaki Museum, Athens, dated to 1718/19, measuring 20cm. diameter and 11cm. high (Carswell and Dowsett 1972, pp.73-74, plate 20). 

The presence of two seraphim angels to the interior of this deep bowl is noteworthy as this indicates a possible religious use for this bowl, notably serving the important local Armenian community. These seraphim form part of the main design on other Kütahya ceramics such as an incense burner now in the Victoria and Albert Museum (inv. no. 35-1892). Unfortunately the present example has suffered some damage but it is an invaluable addition to the corpus of catalogued Kütahya works.