ISLAMIC, INDIAN ART & JEWELS
Lot 172:
Description
This vibrant enamelled copper vase and matching dish exemplify the lively craftsmanship of 19th-century Damascus, where metalworkers developed a rich tradition of cloisonné-style decoration inspired by both Ottoman and local Syrian aesthetics.
The baluster-form vase is adorned with brightly coloured floral motifs—clusters of stylised blossoms in red, turquoise, cobalt, green, and yellow—set against a white ground and outlined in fine copper cloisons. The flaring neck mirrors the same exuberant palette, while the interior rim retains traces of original gilding.
The accompanying dish echoes the vase’s colour scheme and features a central medallion composed of alternating floral motifs and calligraphic cartouches, radiating outward into a symmetrical arrangement of blossoms and geometric elements. A border of repeating petal forms completes the design, all executed with the same meticulous enamel work.
Both pieces display the warm, slightly uneven surfaces characteristic of hand-applied enamel over copper, with small areas of age-appropriate wear and minor losses consistent with period craftsmanship and use.
Decorative, charming, and richly coloured, this set is a fine example of 19th-century Damascene enamelwork and its enduring appeal.
Vase: H: 28.5cm, Tray: Diameter: 23.5cm
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