Lot 194: A DAMASCUS POTTERY TILE, SYRIA, LATE 16TH OR EARLY 17TH CENTURY

An underglaze-painted fritware tile attributed to Damascus, Syria, dating to the late 16th or early 17th century. The square tile features a symmetrical floral design centred on a six-petalled rosette. Radiating from this centre are four large stylised composite blossoms, or hatayi, directed towards the corners, interspersed with four smaller floral buds on the cardinal axes. The decoration is executed in a palette of cobalt blue, turquoise, and manganese purple with sage green outlines, all set against a white ground. The tile is presented in a modern stepped dark wood frame. The reverse reveals the ceramic body is held in place by metal clips and retains a thick layer of original coarse mortar or mounting residue.

22 by 21cm tile only