A LARGE POLYCHROME-PAINTED TUNISIAN CHEMLA TWIN-HANDLED POTTERY JAR
Tunis, Tunisia, North Africa, late 19th - early 20th century

Of bulbous shape, resting on a compressed, disc-like foot, rising to broad and curved shoulders, a short and flared neck, and a smaller bulbous head with an everted, circular rim, on the sides two thick, curved handles, painted in blue, yellow and green with manganese black outlines under a transparent glaze against an off-white ground, decorated with several overlapping horizontal registers showcasing gridwork, stylised lotus flowers, saz leaves, carnations, and rosette roundels inspired by Iznik pottery designs, zig-zag and geometric fretwork bands, and drop-shaped cobalt blue medallions, the handles and neck with splashed vertical stripes, the base inscribed with the maker's mark 'Awlad Shemlah, Tunis' in free-flowing Arabic script and a flower, 44.5cm high.

Dimensions: 44.5cm high