Flask

Location:  Iznik, Turkey

Materials: stonepaste body, decorated underglaze in black, blue, green and bole red

Dimensions: 46 x 22.8cm

Accession Number: POT 1584

Other Notes:

The tall flask is exceptionally thinly potted; the curious incised lines under the glaze were caused when the surface of the pot was wiped smooth before decoration. The repeated floral sprays, of alternating hyacinths and prunus blossom, vary considerably in their details, indicating that the decoration was applied free-hand. The shape and painted flutes at the base of the neck copy contemporary Venetian glass flasks, which were imported into Istanbul in large quantities at the time.

Bibliography:

J.M. Rogers, The Arts of Islam. Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection, London 2010, cat.372, pp.314–15.