Lot 154. A Kutahya pottery bowl, Ottman Turkey, 18th century; 5in. (12.6cm.) high; 6in. (15.2cm.) diam. Estimate GBP 5,000 - GBP 7,000. Price realised GBP 12,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2013

Rising from short splayed foot to wide rounded body with slightly everted rim, the white ground painted in cobalt-blue, bole-red, green, manganese and yellow with a lower register of colourful rosettes alternated with red flowerheads issuing leaves, an upper register of blue meandering vine, each register with simple blue borders, underside with maker's mark.

Note: Production of Kutahya ceramics can be dated back to as early as 1608 when 'masters who make cups' in the region were ordered to send supplies of soda to the kilns at Iznik (Arthur Lane, Later Islamic Pottery, London, 1957, p.63). Kutahaya ceramics have a long-standing link with the Armenian community who produced many of the wares such as our hanging ornament (lot 156) with inscriptions in Armenian. The inventive designs and the colourful glazes employed during the 18th century came to typify this playful group of ceramics. These four lots are from a collection the first part of which was sold in these Rooms, 25 April 2013, lots 242- 254. A further 8 items from this collection will be offered at Christie's South Kensington on the 11th of October 2013, lot 866 - 873.

It is very rare to find a Kutahya vessel which combines both the use of blue and white decoration found on the rim and the polychrome floral decoration on the body.