Iznik jug from Ottoman Turkey, c.1580, estimated at £40,000-60,000 at Christie’s.
The use of an elegant cobalt blue fish-scale pattern, which covers the ground of this jug, was probably inspired by early 16th century Deruta majolica.
Here it is accompanied by green and red cintamani roundels that represent power, force and courage – a combination found on a jug in the Gulbenkian Collection, Lisbon. It was purchased by the present owner in 1980.
The Christie's sale is part of Asian Art in London.
