Description:

A

AN OTTOMAN SILVER EWER & BASIN, 18TH CENTURY
Ottoman Empire, 18th century

Description:
A finely crafted silver ewer and basin set, the ewer of elegant baluster form with domed lid surmounted by a finial, curved spout, and ornate, scrolling handle. The body and neck are richly chased with dense floral and foliate decoration, including stylised tulips and carnation blossoms, bordered by bands of geometric motifs. The everted basin is similarly adorned with repoussé and chased decoration in relief, and includes a detachable pierced silver soap dish with matching floral ornament.

The set features multiple silver hallmarks and control marks, both European and Oriental, indicating it was likely created for export or diplomatic gifting. Notably, the ewer bears a hallmark weight of 1414 g, with the full ensemble totaling 3788 g.

Dimensions:

  • Ewer height: 35 cm

  • Basin diameter: 37.5 cm

  • Soap dish diameter: 24 cm

Provenance:

  • Former Henry-René d'Allemagne (1863–1950) collection.

  • Published: Janneau, G. (1948), Henry-René d'Allemagne, La maison d'un vieux collectionneur, Paris: Librairie Gründ, Tome Second, Pl. CLXXXIII, N°183.

Comparable examples:

  • A comparable Ottoman silver ewer and basin, attributed to the 18th century and with similar repoussé work, sold at Sotheby’s, London, Arts of the Islamic World, 30 April 2019, Lot 148, for £35,000.

  • A finely chased Ottoman silver basin and ewer, Constantinople, late 18th century, sold at Christie’s, London, Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, 25 October 2018, Lot 152, for £40,000.

  • A silver wash basin and ewer, attributed to the Balkans or Anatolia, circa 1770, sold at Bonhams, London, Islamic and Indian Art, 24 October 2022, Lot 98, for £28,000.

Note:
This set reflects the luxurious silverwork traditions of the Ottoman court and provincial elites, with fine workmanship and floral iconography rooted in imperial decorative language. Its documentation in the collection of renowned bibliophile and antiquarian Henry-René d'Allemagne adds further historical and scholarly interest.

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

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