Description:

AN IZNIK POTTERY JUG, OTTOMAN TURKEY, CIRCA 1575–1580
Iznik, Ottoman Empire, late 16th century

Description:
A superbly painted ceramic jug with a bulbous body tapering to a narrow neck, slightly flared rim, and elegantly curved handle. Decorated in underglaze cobalt blue and turquoise on a white fritware body, the design features rhythmic floral motifs including stylised tulips and saz leaves, encircling the body with a balanced composition. The shoulder and neck are adorned with a repeating palmette band, while a dotted border circles the foot.

The jug embodies the technical and aesthetic refinement of Iznik production at its height during the third quarter of the 16th century, with vibrant glazes and exceptional control of pattern. The form, color palette, and motif arrangement are closely aligned with known palace-commissioned wares of the period.

Height: 23.7 cm

Provenance:

  • Ex-collection Édouard Aynard, Lyon (1837–1913), an esteemed French collector of Islamic and decorative arts.

  • Exhibited: Exposition Retrospective d'Art Ancien, Musée d’Art et d’Industrie de Lyon, 1877, no.186 (as per label to underside of foot).

Comparable examples:

  • A similar Iznik jug, circa 1575, from the Collection of Edwin Binney 3rd, sold at Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 10 October 2012, Lot 164, for £157,250.

  • A jug with comparable tulip and saz motif, dated to circa 1580, sold at Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 25 October 2018, Lot 65, for £137,500.

  • A related Iznik jug from the Louis Huth Collection, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1570, sold at Bonhams, London, Islamic and Indian Art, 11 June 2008, Lot 155, for £120,000.

Note:
Iznik ceramics from the late 16th century represent the apex of Ottoman ceramic artistry, merging imperial aesthetics with technical innovation. This jug, with its well-documented provenance and early European exhibition history, is not only a striking object of design but also a significant piece of collecting history. Works from the Aynard collection are held in several major museum holdings today.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

MasterCard, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

We have our own specialist packing and international shipping service and are happy to arrange this for you, we will add a postage and packing quote to your sales invoice. We also offer a door to door courier service to take the stress out of receiving delicate or expensive items.

If you are arranging your own professional delivery, please ensure that the lot has been paid for and the transport company has full details of the items being collected and an appointment has been booked. We work strictly on an appointment basis for dispatching goods.

If you choose to use our services we will ensure goods that have left the auction premises are in perfect condition, by choosing our in house professional packaging services you agree to our terms and conditions and do not hold us accountable for any damages or loss of items in transit. You will be provided with a tracking number and all our packages sent out will require a signature upon delivery. We do not insure goods dispatched unless asked to do so, which will incur additional charges added to your invoice upon request.

We thank you for using our specialist packing & shipping service and hope to continue to do business with you in the near future.

May 6, 2025 1:00 PM BST
London, United Kingdom

PLAKAS

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 29% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
£0 £99 £5
£100 £199 £10
£200 £499 £20
£500 £999 £50
£1,000 £1,999 £100
£2,000 £4,999 £200
£5,000 £9,999 £500
£10,000 £19,999 £1,000
£20,000 £49,999 £2,000
£50,000 £99,999 £5,000
£100,000 £199,999 £10,000
£200,000 £499,999 £20,000
£500,000 £999,999 £50,000
£1,000,000 + £100,000