An impressive Ottoman engraved silver cooling vessel (karlik), with the tughra of Abdulhamid II (r.1876-1909), and crest of 'Abbas Hilmi Pasha (1874-1944), Turkey, late 19th century

the round silver karlik hammered and incised with tughra of Abdulhamid II and his coat-of-arms, as well as the crest of 'Abbas Hilmi Pasha, amidst scrolling leafy vegetation, with hinged lid surmounted by bud-finial, twisted tap and handles, fitted with cylindrical container inside, on a tripod also with twisted legs and hanging floral wreaths, with coat-of-arms engraving on legs and Egyptian silver-marks

Good condition overall, the karlik with some tarnishing and minor nicks, the stand with breaks and associated re-soldering, notably to hanging wreaths, 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."

'Abbas Hilmi II (1874-1944), the great great grandson of Muhammad 'Ali Pasha ('The Father of Egypt'), was the last Khedive of Egypt and Sudan.

Having been raised to the Khedivate at a very young age, 'Abbas was eager to exercise his new power. Affected by the British Army's occupation of Egypt in 1882, he found it difficult to work together with the Consul General in Cairo, Sir Evelyn Baring (later to become Lord Cromer) and the two continued to cause problems within their work. Over time however, Khedive 'Abbas accepted the British Counsels, even revisiting England, during which he acknowledged the effort of the British in Egypt and accepted to follow their advice on Egyptian and Sudanese affairs.

When the Ottoman Empire became involved in World War I, the United Kingdom declared Egypt an independent sultanate under British protectorate on 18 December, 1914. The following day Khedive 'Abbas was removed from his rank though he continued to support the Ottomans in the war and even assisted in leading an attack on the Suez Canal. After obstructions from his uncles, 'Abbas was under restrictive orders and contributions were completely refused from him until he was barred from entering Egyptian territories and prevented from suing in Egyptian courts. He and his family eventually conceded and retired to Geneva in 1931.

Only a few other karliks of this type are known, including one formerly in the possession of the grandson of Sultan Abdulhamid II (r.1876-1909), sold at Wapler-Ricqlès, Paris, 6 April 1998, no.62, and another important silver example sold at Sotheby's Paris, 18 November 2013, lot 234. For two published comparables see G. Kürkman, Ottoman Silver Marks, Istanbul, 1996, p.236 and E. Grunberg & E.M. Tirn, Four Centuries of Ottoman Taste, London, 1988, no.31.