Large Chinese Style Red Stone Phallus

Rectangular in plan, the lime green silk field with two large roundels of red silk tied by a tassel in the rococo style, signature of Sultan Mahmud II contained within a mosque lamp, ten smaller roundels of alternating cream, orange and cream silk; large central rectangular panel and two bands above incorporating inscriptions in Thuluth, tughra of the Sultan framed by swags in lower part of field, ground richly decorated with floral swags and vegetal motifs, backed. 17.8 kg, 294 x 179 cm



Acquired before 2000. Private collection, UK. with Bonhams, London, 6 October 2008, no.216 (est. £80,000 - £120,000). This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by a search certificate number no.12741-235157. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

The inscriptions comprise: in two horizontal cartouches: Qur'an, surah al-Ahzab (XXXIII, verses 45-46) inscription contained in mosque lamp; the signature of Sultan Mahmud Il in the two large roundels: the Shahadah in the six roundels above central rectangular panel; the names of the four Orthodox Caliphs, and the Imams Hasan and Husain in the central panel; Quran, surah al-Baqarah (Il), verse 255, ayat al-Kursi in the six side panels; the names of the companions of the Prophet in the lower part; the tughra of Sultan Mahmud.

Discoid in plan with lip to underside, central low-relief motif of a laureate and draped Roman-style bust with a nimbate lion of St. Mark, within a band inscribed 'TERIACA F ALLA TESTA DORO IN VENET'; all within outer band containing laurel wreath. 31 grams, 45 mm



From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Theriaca or ‘Venice treacle’ was a medicinal compound used since the time of Mithradates VI of Pontus as an antidote against any poisonous bite.

Hinged construction, openwork medallions showing a meditating figure sitting cross-legged with his arms raised, the circumferential bands separated by human-headed calligraphy panels, engraved geometric and calligraphy covering the surfaces. 604 grams, 13 cm



From the family collection of a Hampstead gentleman; formerly acquired in the 1980s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.