For Immediate Release Tuesday, 13 September 2011 Press Contact: Hannah Schmidt +44 (0) 207 389 2964 [email protected] Alize Morand +44 (0) 207 389 2537 [email protected] THE CONTINUED DEMAND FOR OTTOMAN TURKISH WORK London - To date, 2011 has demonstrated the continued strength of demand for Ottoman Turkish works of art. Christie’s sale of Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds , on Thursday 6 October, presents over 70 stellar examples of the creativity and artistic genius of Ottoman Turkey, which is heralded by t he cover lot: an Iznik pottery tankard, illustrated on the overview sale release , with a charming motif of gambolling animals (estimate: £50,000-80,000). From a private collection and passed by descent, this very rare form is taken from metalwork. It is a near pair with a tankard in the Louvre, Paris. Highlights from each media featured include: Metalwork - is led by a magnificent very early gilt-copper Tombak ewer, from the second half of the 16 th or early 17 th century (estimate: £50,000-70,000 ), illustrated above. Pottery - includes an interesting small academic collection which was collected by an informed member of the German diplomatic service who headed the mission in Istanbul and later Ankara during the 1920s. The five lots feature a particularly early Iznik bowl circa 1520 – a period known for great experimentation at Iznik (estimate: £6,000-8,000) and a very beautiful lavender ground bowl, circa 1550 (estimate: £25,000- 35,000), illustrated above. Also of note is a group of Kutahya vessels, including a small private European collection, with a delightful 18 th century polychrome pottery jug (estimate: £3,000-5,000). Textiles – present an early 17 th century very elegant silk velvet and metal thread panel from the property of the late D. Louis Bramão (estimate: £20,000-30,000), illustrated above, which combines stylistic elements of imported Italian textiles with recognizable Ottoman motifs . Works on paper – showcase a wonderful array, from a large illuminated Tughra of Sultan Ahmet III, dating to the ‘tul ip period’ of 1703- 30 (estimate: £60,000-80,000) and a stunning album page, 1558-59, with exceptional illumination in the style of Sultan Suleyman the Magnificent’s ateliers, (estimate: £30,000- 50,000), to a very beautifully executed calligraphic exercise ( Qit’a ), dating to 1850-51 and copied before Sultan ‘Abulmecid (estimate: £3,000 -5,000), illustrated above . This bears the important signature of Mustafa ‘Izzet, who was appointed Chief of the Descend ants of the Prophet.