Topic: Hookah base... Persian? Ancient?

[Frank]

Here is my first bit to challenge the potsmiths...

...it has been in the family since long before Felicity's time - in fact it was acquired after the Crimean war in the mid to early 1980's. It was in this condition when I got it.

[josordoni]

I would say almost certainly Iznik, Turkey, and not new even in Crimean terms...

That style of decoration was in use from way back in the 16th century, see this tile from Leighton House museum.

Corrected: should read Iznik, Turkey, not Persia.

[Frank]

Sounds good to me - I always thought it was rather old.

[josordoni]

I presume the blue is under the glaze, and the other colours are over?  As I am sure you know, cobalt was one of the few colours that high fired properly in pre-industrial revolution days, all other colours were applied over the glaze.

Interesting the blue is quite pale, unlike English cobalt that is very much darker.

I found this interesting article about ancient glazes

[Frank]

There are two other colours a sage(ish) green and a yellow ochre, this last was obviously a problem, expanding and bursting on one side. I think it is all under glaze. The glazes stops short 8mm from the bottom

[josordoni]

I am now way outside my knowledge comfort zone... 

I am ok back to about 1800, then it is most definitely book knowledge.  I don't think I have ever really looked carefully at anything much older than that.

[Frank]

Perhaps it is a bit younger...

[josordoni]

I think we may have to wait for an ancient artefacts person to join the board....

[josordoni]

Perhaps it is a bit younger...

Well, the Iznik style was copied in the 1880s, but that was mostly in the UK.  I don't know how much Islamic art has changed over the years, probably not that much.

[josordoni]

It does have that iron red look to the edges of the glaze that you get with Chinese earthenware of the 17th-18th century....

[david31162]

Hi folks,
My first contribution.
A great piece, I'm envious! Until recently id only really looked at the British arts and crafts copies by De Morgan et al. But after seeing a few pieces at local auctions ive taken more of an interest in the originals.
I'm sure this is early. Ive seen similar pieces in books? Ill get looking.I may be some time.. but i will get back to you.
David

[Frank]

Hi David in one of my irregular visits have only just seen your reply .... look forwards to you further input. I fell in love with this piece at first site but just never had the time to pursue it. Loads of patience 

[david31162]

Hi Frank,
 I know I've see a picture with the geen and yellow floral pattern somewhere in a book. Ive looked through all the obvious ones and no luck so far. Far too many books! I'll keep looking.
David

[Sue C]

 www.dur.ac.uk/oriental.museum try here Frank, they may help.