A Blue and White Iznik Bowl, Turkey, circa 1510-20

of deep rounded form on a short foot, decorated in underglaze cobalt blue with a white background, designed with alternating cypress trees and lotus stems, the exterior with alternating rosettes and flowerheads

In fair condition, once fragmented and restored, some parts reconstructed with paste, some abrasion to surface and overpainting, 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."

This inventive and dynamic design draws in most part from the 'Baba Nakkas' style of decoration recognisable from its fleshy leaves and hooked foliage. The central roundel is closely related to that found on a sherd datable to 1510-20 excavated at Iznik and another in Athens (Atasoy and Raby 1989, p.54, no.43e, and Carswell 1998, p.37, fig.17). The base and exterior is very similar to another sherd of 1510-20, also excavated from Iznik (Atasoy and Raby 1989, p.54, fig.43d). A more unfamiliar element in the decoration of this bowl is the briskly drawn flowering stems and the garlands elaborating the cypress trees. The former seem to presage the spirals of the Golden Horn wares of the next quarter but similar elements have already appeared in the interstices of wares in the style known as 'Master of the Knots'. A mosque lamp of circa 1510 in the Cinili Kosk includes related flower sprays in its varied decoration (ibid., p.93, fig.88).  Elaborated cypress trees of a similar nature appear on a bottle, formerly in Kuwait, and thought to date to circa 1520-25 (ibid., p.164, fig.304).