Phiale au cerf

Ottoman Empire, Balkans, 16th-18th century Bowl with hemispherical body, in silver with repoussé and chased decoration of a central medallion in relief (omphalos) decorated with a stag surrounded by two cypresses, the sides decorated with deer on a background of plant interlacing. Diameter: 14.7 cm. Gross weight: 139 gr. This type of bowl was designed to hold wine. The annexation of the Balkans to Ottoman rule gave the empire access to the rich silver mines of Novo Brdo and Srebrenica in Serbia, which quickly attracted the interest of Istanbul's goldsmiths. The Balkans thus became the center of a great goldsmithing tradition. An Ottoman silver Phiale figuring a deer, Balkans, 16th-18th century Provenance : French private collection. For similar examples, see: lot 152, Islamic & Indian Arts, Bonhams, London, April 19, 2007; lot 220, Chiswick Auction, London, October 29, 2020 Bibliography: Turkophilia l'art ottoman dans les collections privées, edited by Fréderic Hitzel, Magentacolor, Paris, 2011, pp. 21-33.