Lot 191. An Iznik polychrome pottery dish with rosettes and saz leaves, Turkey, circa 1570; 29.4cm. diam. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000 GBP. Unsold. Courtesy Sotheby's.

fritware, underglaze-painted in cobalt blue, turquoise green and bole red with fine green-black outlines with a design of two long serrated twisting saz leaves enclosing a symmetrical design of rosettes and hyacinths with trefoil clasp, serrated rim,underside with paired tulips and flowerhead motifs, old collection labels 'Jean Lagonico 2', 'Collection A. [Imbert]', '10', 'Sotheby's Monaco 7 December 1991 lot 4', one drill to the foot and one drill to the rim.

Provenance: Sotheby’s Monaco, La collection Lagonico, 7 December 1991, lot 4. 
Ex-collection Jean Lagonicos.
Ex-collection Stefanos Lagonikos (label now missing). 
Ex-collection A. Imbert, Rome, no.1906 9, 1919 (only remnants of label left)

Note: The painting on this beautiful dish epitomises favoured Iznik motifs, notably the elegantly paired saz leaves, floral stems and Chinese-derived details, as well as the shape of its serrated rim and trefoil clasp, border of scrolls and breaking waves. The orange-ochre, slightly transparent quality of the red indicates that it is early in the series of Iznik polychrome wares of the mature phase (see also lot 189). John Carswell links the effect to that of "[...] a drop of blood splashing into a bathroom sink" (Carswell 1998, p.75).

Sotheby's. Arts of the Islamic World, London, 24 Oct 2018, 10:30 AM