Topic: abdulhamid iin enamel and gold

[Ivo]

Here we have a cobalt blue pot with an enamel transfer portrait of what may be Abdulhamit II. It is elaborately decorated witn orange enamel and white dots - o and did I mention gold?  It is 5.1/2" high and has a broken pontil mark.
I have come across nargile/ water pipes before with a similar decoration, but those are of a much cheaper variety. This item is old - we' re talking early years of the 20th century.
I know the ottoman empire imported from bohemia and from belgium and from russia and from persia. This one has a bohemian feel - can anyone confirm this?

[Greg.]

Hi Ivo,

Just came across this link, don't know if its any help...

http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/bohemian-cobalt-cranberry-and-flashed-glass-decor-639-c-795b74867f

Greg

[Ivo]

Thank you Greg. The water pipe base is precisely the one I meant, good find.

[Greg.]

Ivo,

One other link that might be worth a look. Large early 20th century bottle with similar enamel decoration, sold at Christies Paris again believed to be Bohemian.

http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?intObjectID=4924217

[Ivo]

Interesting - Abdulhamit II has now morphed into Ahmad Shah Qadjar - same period but different country. So I may well assume it is Bohemian, made for either the Ottoman or the Persian empire, yet obviously it has less quality than the (Egermann?) bottle from Christies.  I wonder if the portrait on the bottle is a freehand enamel miniature or based on a transfer - the former would explain the price. a bit.

[Greg.]

Ivo - I was a little unsure about Abdulhamit II morphing into Ahmad Qadjar  

As you point out, same period and also Bohemian. I would guess the portrait must be an actual freehand miniature, the price did seem to leap out!