AN OTTOMAN SILVER AND GILT-COPPER COFFEE POT, TURKEY, SECOND HALF 18TH CENTURY |

of slender baluster form with a curved spout and hinged domed cover surmounted by small red stone, the handle of s-shape form, richly decorated with engraved entiwined foliate motifs on a punched ground, palmette design to spout

This lot was recently restored by the department of conservation at the Benaki Museum, Athens. There are minor dents and knocks to surface and within the lid, some rubbing to gilding, scratches to underside of base, 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 richly decorated pot was most probably intended to serve coffee. Two almost identical pots are in the Benaki Museum, Athens and Victoria and Albert Museum, London (inv. no. 369-1897) respectively. The Benaki example is accompanied by a number of similarly designed small cups. It is noted that this so-called 'Baroque' style, which was influenced by European fashion, was particularly popular in the Ottoman world between the 1740s and 1820s (see http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O108563/coffee-pot-unknown/).