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58
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58. A group of five Ottoman silver sahlep cups and an incens…
58
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58. A group of five Ottoman silver sahlep cups and an incens…
Estimate €1,500 - €2,000
Voluntary lot
Description
58. A group of five Ottoman silver sahlep cups and an incense burner
Turkey or Egypt, 19th/ 20th Century
the cups of waisted, tapering form with foliate handles surmounted by birds, the lids with bird, acorn and floral finials, the bodies variously decorated and engraved with aznavour, fish-scale and vegetal motifs, the saucers of shallow form decorated ensuite, with sah and tughra marks; the incense burner of spherical form with lid on three curved feet mounted on a saucer, surmounted by a spike, chased and decorated in openwork and repoussé with floral and foliate motifs
2299.4 g. (total weight)(6)
Provenance
Acquired by Baron Leon Rolin 'The Lion of Cairo' (1871-1950) or his daughter, Jacqueline Rolin (1902-1975) and thence by descent.
Leon Rolin (1871-1950), nicknamed 'The Lion of Cairo', was the owner of contracting firm Leon Rolin & Co, one of the two largest civil contractors in Egypt. The firm was charged with construction of the Heliopolis Palace Hotel, later the presidential palace of the Mubarak administration.
The Heliopolis Palace Hotel was an ambitious project, built in the open desert between 1908-1910, and opening as Africa's most luxurious hotel on December 1st 1910. During the construction and inspired by their surroundings, his wife, Madeleine Shaar (1876-1954) started a collection of Islamic art. His daughter Jacqueline continued to avidly collect and was present at the auction of the contents of the Royal Palace of King Farouk. She later returned to Belgium and distributed her rich collection amongst her children and their descendants.
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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