Victorian Silver Bosun's Whistle

Rectangular-section shank and bezel, offset group of six diamonds with settings open to the reverse; stamped 'ORANG BLOSSOM 14K'. 7.21 grams, 25.26 mm overall, 21.03 mm internal diameter (approximate size British X, USA 11 1/2, Europe 26.29, Japan 25)



From the private collection of a West London, UK, gentleman, formed since the early 2000s.

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.

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.

Comprising: red hardstone weight with incuse bird image to underside; carved agate weight; serpentine bead in the form of a frog. 59 grams total, 30-33 mm



Acquired 1970s-1996. Property of a North American collector. London collection, 2016.