??AN EARLY OTTOMAN TILE, PROBABLY IZNIK, WESTERN ANATOLIA, CIRCA 1500 of square form, underglaze painted in blue on white ground in the 'Baba Nakkas' style, the design comprising scrolling floral tendrils issuing from a central floral roundel 25cm square approx.; 2.5cm thick
Provenance: European Private Collection
Iznik seems the most likely origin of this distinctive tile, although the freer style of painting, thick construction and pitting to the glaze leave open the possibility of Damascus origin. A number of enigmatic blue and white painted tiles of which this might be another example have been attributed to Damascus in the early Ottoman period (see Arthur Millner, Damascus Tiles, London 2015, figs.6.143 & 6.144). The 'Baba Nakkas' style of Iznik pottery, named after a major Ottoman court designer around the turn of the 15th-16th centuries, marks the point when Chinese influence was most strongly felt in Ottoman ceramics. Only blue is used on the white ground and most of the motifs can be linked to Ming prototypes. Border tiles in this style were produced for the tomb of Mahmud in Bursa (1405-6 A.D.). For examples in the Victoria and Albert Museum, see inv. no. 1677-1892, 1678A-1892, 1677-1892 and the David Collection, Copenhagen, see inv. no. 93a/2003. Descriptions in both printed and on-line catalogue formats do not include condition reports and all lots are sold as viewed. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in good condition. Prospective bidders are recommended to request a condition report prior to bidding, wherever possible satisfying themselves in person at the gallery as to the condition of a lot.