Lot 235. An Iznik polychrome pottery dish with cypress tree, Turkey, circa 1590; 31cm. diam. Estimate £18,000 - £25,000. Photo: Sotheby's.

fritware decorated in underglaze dark blue, green and relief red outlined in black, with a central cypress tree in the middle of a swirling branch of saz and composite palmettes, the everted rim with stylised scrolls, alternating paired tulips and rosettes on underside.

Note: The cypress tree, which acts as a central balancing form in the composition, first made its appearance as a motif in Iznik in the early 1520s, notably on architectural murals, but became especially popular from the 1560s. This dish, attributed to a slightly later period due to the fluidity of the glaze, notably the red bole, combines the cypress tree design with a composite saz and palmette swirling branch

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World including Fine Rugs and Carpets, London, 01 May 2019, 10:30