Description:

Lot 53. A Gilt-Copper (Tombak) Bowl with Enamelled Bosses, Ottoman Turkey, Early 18th Century

This exquisite Ottoman gilt-copper (tombak) bowl dates to the early 18th century and exemplifies the refined metalworking traditions of the Ottoman court. The vessel features a shallow, fluted form with a rounded base and slightly everted rim, richly adorned with applied circular enamelled bosses in alternating shades of turquoise, cobalt, white, and green.

Each boss is decorated with a stylized floral motif, forming a rhythmic pattern encircling the body and radiating toward the center in a spiral arrangement. The interior and underside reveal traces of the original gilded finish, now beautifully patinated with age. The spiral repoussé base adds a sense of dynamic movement to the otherwise balanced geometry of the form.

Tombak — a gilded copper alloy reserved for ceremonial and aristocratic use — was prized in the Ottoman Empire for its luxurious sheen and durability. The use of enamel inlays (mina work) on this example enhances its opulence and rarity, reflecting the high level of technical sophistication achieved by Ottoman metalworkers in Istanbul during the early 1700s.

A remarkable survival, this bowl represents the fusion of form, color, and craftsmanship that defined Ottoman decorative arts of the period.

Diameter: 14cm

Height: 5.5cm

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November 4, 2025 1:00 PM GMT
London, United Kingdom

PLAKAS

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