An Iznik Pottery Dish. Ottoman Turkey, circa 1570. Photo Christie's Ltd 2012

With sloping rim on short foot, the white interior with a central roundel depicting three bunches of grapes surrounded by vine leaves, the cavetto with eight stylised floral sprays, the border with spiralling roundels alternating with large 'S' motifs, the exterior with seven similar floral motifs, hair cracks, drilled hole in rim and two in foot; 13½in. (34.5cm.) diam. Estimate £40,000 - £60,000

Provenance: Victor Adda, brother of Fernand Adda,
thence by descent to the present owner 

Notes: This dish is an example of the Chinese design most frequently copied by Iznik potters. In each example the design is subtly changed, and between 1530 and 1600, a development can be observed whereby the design becomes further and further removed from the Chinese original. Here, the centre is quite true to the Chinese original, but the border is typical of Iznik of the 1570s. For a more detailed discussion on the Chinese grape design on Iznik dishes, see the note accompanying lot 223. 

Christie's. Art of the Islamic and Indian World. 4 October 2012. London, King Street