22 mars 2009

An Ottoman parcel-gilt and niello Hammam bowl, probably Bosnia, late 18th century of deep rounded form on a flat base and with a single curved lug handle, the exterior ribbed and incised with alternating panels of stylised floral and vegetal patterns in niello, the base with a foliate motif on a silver ground, the burnished interior left plain. 14.5cm. diam. Estimate 8,000—10,000 GBP NOTE: Objects made of precious metals were often made specifically for the Imperial court within the Ottoman Empire, and were exempted from... [Lire la suite]

A polychrome enamelled covered dish (Sahan) from the Sulemaniye workshop, Turkey, late 18th century of shallow form on a low footring, the stepped domed cover with gilded rose-form finial, painted with floral bouquets on a gilt-decorated yellow ground, rim mounts and the well of the base painted with a further floral spray on a white ground. 20.6cm. max. diam. Estimate 10,000—15,000 GBP NOTE: Vessels such as this are thought to have been made in a street adjacent to the Süleymaniye Mosque, Istanbul. Other similar examples... [Lire la suite]

An important pair of covered dishes (Sahans), signed by Christoph von Junger, for the Ottoman imperial market, dated 1777, Vienna, Austria each of shallow form on a low footring, the stepped domed cover with gilded bud-form finial, painted with floral bouquets on a gilt-decorated white and soft-yellow enamelled ground, rim mounts, signature and date to the inside of the footring (2). 20.8cm. max. diam. Estimate 40,000—60,000 GBP NOTE: Between 1764 and 1780, the enamelling workshops of the von Jungers flourished in... [Lire la suite]

A Fine Large Blue and White Hu Vase with Handles, Seal Mark and Period of Qianlong modeled after a Han Dynasty archaic bronze vessel, the robust middle section meticulously painted in bright shades of cobalt blue with eight varieties of large peony blooms, each borned on a continuous scrolling tendril vine with attendant blooms, set between a ruyi head band draping the shoulders and a turbulent wave band around the base, the broad shoulders luted to the body with a subtle indentation sweeping up to a flaring neck... [Lire la suite]

A European porcelain covered jug (Asurelik) for the Ottoman market with Tughra of Abdülmecid (r.1839-1861) of baluster form, with elaborate gilt-scroll handle, finely painted with summer flowers within two roundels, rose-pink ground between gilt rims, lid with swan finial, front roundel issuing foliate sprays containing the gilded tughra  44.5cm. Estimate 8,000—12,000 GBP NOTE: A pair of comparable asureliks (from Sévres) which also bear the tughra of Sultan Abdülmecid can be found in the Dolmabahçe Palace (see... [Lire la suite]

A polychrome enamelled covered bowl and cover (Sakizlik), Turkey, 19th century of deep rounded form on a short foot, the stepped domed cover with acorn-form finial, painted throughout with floral bouquets on a gilt-decorated green ground, with gilded foot and rim mounts. 12.5cm. Estimate 4,000—6,000 GBP Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World. 01 Apr 09. London www.sothebys.com photo courtesy Sotheby's

A fine polychrome Ormolu-mounted bowl and cover for the Ottoman market, probably Swiss, 19th century of deep rounded form with a domed cover, decorated with naturalistic flowers on a blue enamelled ground with ormolu feet and lid finial, with pearl string ornamentation. 18.5cm. Estimate 8,000—12,000 GBP NOTE: A further covered bowl similar to this example (also probably Swiss) is present in the treasury of the Topkapi Saray Museum (see Rogers [Ed.] 1998, p.204, pl.102). Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World. 01 Apr 09.... [Lire la suite]

Cette église est impressionnante! J'ai très envie de la visiter. Memento Mori... Historique et renseignements pratiques et photos, ci-dessous: Exterior of the Gothic Church of All Saints. Photo Martin Belam Entrance and central "human chandelier." Photo Martin Belam Bone heap. Photo Martin Belam Schwartzenberg coat of arms made of bones. Photo Martin Belam The Sedlec Ossuary (kostnice Sedlec) a small Christian chapel, is located beneath the Church of All Saints (Hřbitovní kostel Všech... [Lire la suite]

A Magnificent Pear-Shaped Reticulated Celadon Vase, Seal Mark and Period of Qianlong sublimely spectacular, the elegantly proportioned bottle vase with a gently swelling belly sweeping up to a slender slightly flaring neck, masterfully engineered with a deftly reticulated band of two large peonies with lush petals encircled by scrolling leaves subtly incised with veining, the openwork areas revealing a plain integral vase beneath, all below a finely carved low-relief band of upright plantain leaves collaring... [Lire la suite]

A Rare Ottoman Yildiz Palace-ware mother-of-pearl inlaid wooden scribe's box, period of Abdülhamid II, circa 1900 of rectangular form with a sloping hinged lid, the top surface and sides decorated with fleshy mother-of-pearl inlaid interlacing vegetal motifs, comprising palmettes and split-palmettes, the borders with micro-mosaic stained-wood inlay in chevron and parquetry designs, the interior lined with purple velvet. 61 by 40.5cm. Estimate 15,000—20,000 GBP NOTE: The Yildiz Palace in Istanbul, the main residence of... [Lire la suite]