Friday 1 May 2026
An Ottoman gem-set sceptreTurkey, 17th century or later In three parts, the surface of each part...
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An Ottoman gem-set sceptre
Turkey, 17th century or later
In three parts, the surface of each part...
Price Realised: £2,624
Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000
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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).
Lot 135
Description
An Ottoman gem-set sceptre
Turkey, 17th century or later
In three parts, the surface of each part decorated with inset turquoise and garnet on white metal ground with remains of gilding, the base and top of the sceptre with agate elements,
25.5cm long
For another very similar example see Sotheby's 8 October 2014, Lot 147; Christie's 26 April 2018, lot 172
The technique of setting a combination of turquoise and rubies into precious objects is known in both Safavid Iran and Ottoman Turkey. The mounts offered here are likely to have been from a staff or mace created in one of these courts. They would probably have been affixed to a shaft, and may have included other elements, for instance a sphere that was suspended below the hemispherical element in the top of the image. A staff gifted by Shah ‘Abbas of Iran to Patriarch Filaret in 1629 is in the Kremlin Museum (The Tsars and the East. Gifts from Turkey and Iran in the Moscow Kremlin, exhibition catalogue, Washington DC, 2009, no.17, pp.48-49). That staff comprised several individual mounts on a central wooden shaft. Like ours it also has a ground engraved with floral motifs and rubies and turquoise set in high, slightly crude mounts.
Fees & VAT
Buyer's Premium
The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.
VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT
Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.
It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500
Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.
Export of goods
Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.
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