Carved wood, scalloped edges, with polychrome, silver and gold; possibly Latin America c1700-50

Carved wooden bowl with lobed edge, decorated in yellow, bue and green on a metallic silvery ground. The dish is shaped with twelve compartments surrounding a central roundel, which are all defined by a thick greenish line. Around the outer edge runs a narrow notch motif. Each of the twelve 'petal' compartments contains an alternating design of yellow and blue/green flowers and curling stems emerging from a heart-shape vase. In the central roundel, similar flowers surround a footed silver(?) cup full of blossoms or seeds.

Purchased from Mr Whitehead (Lord Bexley's Sale, lot 12, May 1876) for £3. 10 (File refs.: Lord President's verbal consent, 29th April, Art Referee report by Mr Fortnum, 4975/76.)
'Bowl or Dish. Wood, round and fluted, the inside decorated with flowers in gold, silver, and blue foils. Turkish or Persian. H. 4 3/4 in. Diam. 19 1/8 in. Condition: cracked'

Art Referee report by Mr Fortnum, 4975/76 notes that lot 12 'a Turkish wooden bowl & a carved ivory chowry' was seen at Foot's Cray Place, and recommended for purchase at £15. Other items at the sale included Chinese ceramics, della Robbia ware, Abruzzi ware, Damascus ware.

Attributed c2000-2023 'Possibly Italy or Turkey 1800-1850'

238-1876