ISLAMIC, INDIAN ART & JEWELS
Lot 96:
Description
This elegant Ottoman hammam bowl is crafted in tombak, the distinctive gilt-copper alloy prized in the 18th century for its rich golden lustre and smooth, warm surface. Of elongated oval form, the bowl is decorated with a continuous band of lobed, almond-shaped motifs in high relief encircling both the exterior and interior, creating a visually rhythmic, almost sculptural effect.
The gilding, now softly worn through in places from age and use, reveals the subtle reddish tones of the underlying copper, producing a beautiful, variegated patina typical of authentic tombak objects. The interior retains traces of the original high polish, while the underside displays the same lobed repoussé decoration surrounding the footed base.
Bowls of this type were used in Ottoman bathhouses (hammams) for pouring water during bathing rituals, and examples in tombak—being far more costly than tinned copper—were reserved for the wealthy or for ceremonial settings.
A fine and rare survival, this piece exemplifies the luxurious metalwork of the classical Ottoman period, distinguished by its refined gilding, sensuous form, and traditional hammam aesthetic.
L: 25cm, H: 10.5cm
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