AN IZNIK POTTERY DISH WITH SAZ LEAF
Ottoman Turkey, ca. 1580 - 1600

Of shallow rounded shape, resting on a short circular foot, rising to a gently everted flattened rim, underglaze painted in light cobalt blue, copper green, bole red in relief with black outlines on a milky white ground, crossing the centre of the plate's interior a sinuous blue saz leaf springing from a tuft of grass and looping around a red rose, flanked by further floral stems of rosettes and spotted tulips, the rim decorated with a vegetal band with red buttons against blue and green grounds, possibly a stylisation of a laurel wreath, the exterior with a band of blue spiraling roundels, 31cm diam.

The distinctive foliate decoration around the rim of the present lot is also featured on an Iznik pottery dish in the Al-Sabah Collection, dated ca. 1585 - 1590, part of a small group of dishes related by their simple designs, yet high-quality colours and potting. The size of our lot is also in line with the Al-Sabah plate. For further reference, please see O. Watson, Ceramics from Islamic Land, 2004, cat. T.15, p. 440.