Lot 326
  • 326

An important Iznik Polychrome Tile with Arched Opening, Turkey, Circa 1575

Estimate
200,000 - 250,000 GBP
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Description

of rectangular form with a central arched opening, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue, viridian green and relief red, with an arcade of foliate and feathery composite palmettes enclosing an arch with spandrels filled with an arabesque of cloudband split-palmettes reserved on a blue ground bordered by bold red bands

Condition

in good condition, break to the centre and small chips to top edge and top left corner, with associated restoration and retouching, 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

A large Iznik tile from the peak of Ottoman royal production.

The feathery palmette border appears on a number of tiles and plates between 1570 and 1580. An Iznik tile panel in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Petsopoulos 1982, p.134, fig.128) has a border of similar feathery palmettes and a dish in the Chateau d'Ecouen collection has a rim of alternating foliate and feathery palmettes (Hitzel and Jacotin 2005, no.332). Also see Atasoy & Raby 1989, p.243, nos. 462-470 for a group of 'kaleidoscope' and abstract dishes of the 1570s and 1580s, with rosettes made up of circular bands of arcaded palmettes.