Description:

AN OTTOMAN ENAMELLED TOMBAK EWER AND BASIN, PROBABLY DIYARBAKIR OR THE BALKANS, 18TH CENTURY
Eastern Anatolia or Balkans, Ottoman Empire, 18th century

Description:
Comprising a tombak (fire-gilt copper) ewer with domed lid, waisted neck, and sinuous spout, together with a matching basin with everted rim and detachable, domed, openwork strainer. The body of the ewer is richly decorated with repoussé fish-scale patterns interrupted by lobed medallions and obelisk-shaped cartouches, engraved with reciprocal palmettes and vegetal motifs. The ensemble is adorned throughout with circular bosses set with vivid polychrome enamel—primarily in tones of turquoise, white, blue, and green—providing strong visual contrast to the warm gilded surface.

The basin features a pierced stand with further enamelled roundels and engraved decoration along the rim. Some minor losses to the enamel and oxidisation to the interior, with the handle detached at the join, as visible.

Comparable examples:

  • A similar 18th-century Ottoman gilt-copper ewer and basin with enamel bosses, attributed to Diyarbakir, sold at Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 26 October 2017, Lot 125, for £22,500.

  • An Ottoman tombak basin with enamelled bosses, 18th century, sold at Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 10 April 2019, Lot 150, for £18,750.

  • A closely related tombak ewer, likely from the Balkans, with rich enamel decoration, sold at Bonhams, London, Islamic and Indian Art, 29 March 2022, Lot 83, for £20,400.

Note:
Tombak vessels with inset enamel decoration are closely associated with the provinces of the Ottoman Empire, particularly the Balkans and Eastern Anatolia, where distinct regional workshops flourished. These pieces were often used in ceremonial washing rituals and were prized for both their craftsmanship and vibrant ornamentation. The survival of a complete set enhances the rarity and collectability of this ensemble.

 


With rounded body, on short splayed foot, with slightly waisted neck, slender cuving spout and applied strap handle, domed lid with knop finial, the body decorated with fish-scale motifs regularly interrupted with roundels and obelisks containing reciprocal design, the neck and foot with engraved foliate motif, all with applied circular bosses set with polychrome enamels, the basin of rounded form with everted rim and separate pierced inner cover with raised stand, the rim with foliate motifs set at regular intervals with enamelled bosses, the inner cover similarly set, slight losses of enamel, handle detached at body

Height of ewer: 35cm

Diameter of basin: 37.5cm

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

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Bid Increments
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£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