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Glass Identification - Post here for all ID requests => Glass => Topic started by: Ivo on August 22, 2011, 09:01:44 AM

Title: abdulhamid iin enamel and gold
Post by: Ivo on August 22, 2011, 09:01:44 AM
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?
Title: Re: abdulhamid iin enamel and gold
Post by: Greg. on August 22, 2011, 10:49:19 AM
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
Title: Re: abdulhamid iin enamel and gold
Post by: Ivo on August 22, 2011, 12:03:50 PM
Thank you Greg. The water pipe base is precisely the one I meant, good find.
Title: Re: abdulhamid iin enamel and gold
Post by: Greg. on August 22, 2011, 12:36:54 PM
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

Title: Re: abdulhamid iin enamel and gold
Post by: Ivo on August 22, 2011, 02:47:00 PM
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.
Title: Re: abdulhamid iin enamel and gold
Post by: Greg. on August 22, 2011, 03:00:31 PM
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!