THREE SQUARE DELFT POTTERY TILES BY RAVESTEIJN
Utrecht, Netherlands, second half 19th century

Comprising three wall tiles of square shape, painted in cobalt blue on white ground, depicting a Christian nun, a man dressed in Ottoman fashion with a large turban, and a Greek maiden, all within circular medallions, the corners filled with stylised floral motifs, each 15.4cm x 15.2cm.

Delftware tiles of this type and precise measurements are usually attributed to the Ravesteijn tile factory manufacture in Utrecht. Their inspiration for the subjects was drawn from the engravings of Oriental and Ottoman figures published in 16th and 17th-century travelogues and diaries, such as the Navigations et pérégrinations orientales by Nicolas de Nicolay, published in Lyons in 1568. An analogous set of tiles was successfully sold at Sotheby's London, 6 April 2011, lot 411. Another example of Ravesteijn blue and white tiles, this time depicting a lioness, was recently offered at auction by Rob Michiels Auctions (Belgium) on 28 April 2019.