Lot 227: A SYRIAN POLYCHROME-ENAMELLED COPPER PLATES AND BOWL, OTTOMAN SYRIA, LATE 19TH - EARLY 20TH CENTURY

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Start price: £380

Estimated price: £400 - £600

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A SYRIAN POLYCHROME-ENAMELLED COPPER PLATES AND BOWL, OTTOMAN SYRIA, LATE 19TH – EARLY 20TH CENTURY

This lot consists of two pieces of Syrian Damascus enamelled copper ware, known as Heena work, produced by the Saraf family. The first item is a large circular decorative charger. It features a central circular medallion depicting a polychrome bird perched amongst flowering branches on a white ground. This central scene is enclosed within a dark blue border and surrounded by six lobed cartouches containing Arabic calligraphic inscriptions, including ‘Ya Ali’ and ‘Ya Allah’, alternating with turquoise-ground floral rosettes. The raised rim is decorated with a repeating pattern of dark blue teardrop-shaped enamel cells within a copper border.

The second item is a Jewish ritual charity vessel, or Tzedakah pot, of bulbous form with a matching small fluted saucer. The pot is decorated with a wide white enamel band featuring a prominent blue Hebrew inscription reading ‘הצדקה’ (Ha-Tzedakah), which translates to ‘The Charity’. Below the text are stylized red floral motifs and green foliage. The rim is finished with a band of light blue enamel dots. The accompanying saucer depicts a central multi-petalled flower surrounded by three birds and floral buds on a white ground.

Both items are constructed from hand-hammered copper with polychrome enamel decoration. The reverse of the charger and the saucer show the embossed patterns from the front decoration.

Largest, Diameter: 32cm

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