Incense-holder, fritware, painted in underglaze blue and black, Turkey (Kütahya), 1740-1750.

A six-lobed container with raised base. The bottom edge is scalloped due to an arch being cut into the base of each of the lobed sections.The handle, square in section with facetted sides, is the same height as the body.

The painted decoration is in cobalt blue and black on a white ground. On the interior base a six-winged seraph and four stars are depicted within a wreath of hatched, serrated leaves. The interior of each lobe features a flower spray framed within vertical bands of short, spikey leaves. The exterior of each lobe features a leafy spray curving down from top left and cross-hatched flowers. A serrated band of leaves runs around the top edge and at the intersection of the lobes.

This object was bought by the Museum from J. Sasoon & Co., 179 Wardour Street, London for £10.

A pottery industry was well-established in Kütahya by the 17th century: there are references to 'cup makers' of Kütahya in 1608. In 1715 a French merchant, Paul Lucas, based in Istanbul sent to France a dozen coffee cups and saucers, bowls, two rosewater bottles, two salts and two writing sets. A ewer and basin in the Patriarchal collection in the church of St. James, Jerusalem, painted in underglaze blue is inscribed with the date 1716. However, the decoration is stylistically similar to a documentary basin in the San Lazzaro Armenian monastery in Venice. The basin is inscribed with a date in the Armenian calender for 1193 or 1744 AD.

595-1892