stonepaste with polychrome underglaze decoration, Turkey (Kütahya), 1750-1775.

Conical shape with a low, spreading base and an aperture at the top encircled by a brass, ?-petal flower-shape fitting. A brass tube runs vertically through the body. Fritware, with painted decoration in cobalt blue, turquoise, red? and yellow on a white ground under a clear glaze.

The decorative scheme is composed, starting from the bottom up, of a band of twisted ribbon ornament around the base and a circle of interlaced loops where the foot meets the body. Above this 12 ? painted sections each contain a small floral spray with blue stems and leaves and alternately blue or yellow blossoms. Above these, on the main section of the body, are 4? floral sprays, each with blue leaves and blue, yellow and red? blossoms arranged symmetrically.

This object came to the Museum via the Salting Bequest.

It is unknown for what purpose this object was originaly used. Although it resembles a salt cellar there is no chamber inside the object to hold condiments. It might have formed the mouthpiece of a water pipe.

The purpose of this object is far from clear. It is conical in shape with a short splayed foot, pierced vertically by a brass tube. Its external form hints at that of a shaker, but there is no space inside sufficient to form a container.

C.2041-1910