Arts of the Islamic World and India

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 202. A painted enamel oval plaque depicting Roxelana, after a model associated with Titian's workshop, France, 19th century.

A painted enamel oval plaque depicting Roxelana, after a model associated with Titian's workshop, France, 19th century

VAT applies to buyers outside the UK

Auction Closed

April 24, 03:45 PM GMT

Estimate

8,000 - 12,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

polychrome and partially gilt painted enamel on copper, in a gilded wood frame

15.2 by 12.1cm.

30.1 by 26cm. framed

Signed with the initials: El.C.

This lot should have an alpha symbol in the printed catalogue. If the purchase is to remain in the UK the item will be sold to you as if there was no VAT symbol, i.e. no VAT on the hammer price. If the purchase is to be exported outside the UK the item will be sold to you as if there was a dagger in the catalogue, although, subject to proof of export, no VAT will be charged on the hammer price unless you are VAT registered in the UK. Please refer to the printed catalogue for further VAT information.

This enamel portrait depicts Haseki Hurrem Sultan, popularly known in the West as Roxelana. It was made after a famous portrait in the Uffizi, Florence (published in Julian Raby's 'Mistaken Identities', Cornucopia, Issue 63, 2021, p.11), attributed to Titian's workshop in 1542. Another portrait made in France in the seventeenth century, in the Royal Collection at Kensington Palace (inv. no.RCIN 406152), was also clearly inspired by the Uffizi painting, with the colours of the garments worn by the sitter similar to the portrait at hand. Together, these works demonstrate the longstanding European fascination for Suleyman the Magnificent’s wife.