Glass - Beykoz - Late Ottoman period

Washbasin (ibrik) or Turkish ewer in Ottoman Beykoz glass from the 19th century

The main body, the enamel, and the gilding are generally well preserved. The tip of the long spout is fractured (the upper section of the spout is missing). The upper stopper shows slight, normal wear for its age. No cracks or hairlines in the opaline body or in the handle.

Magnificent and rare traditional washbasin or sprayer (ibrik) made of opaline crystal, produced in the famous Beykoz workshops (Istanbul) during the 19th century under the Ottoman Empire. The piece, 27 cm high, is crafted in white opaline glass with a semi-opaque texture that emulates fine porcelain. It features exquisite hand-glazed decoration with floral motifs of vegetal inspiration and a central bird in a deep cobalt blue. The details of the leaves, the flower profiles, and the lines of the structure are beautifully highlighted with gold leaf. The circular base shows a peripheral pattern of red/orange dots in contrast, characteristic of the Ottoman palette of the period.Note on condition: As seen in the photographs, the upper end of the elongated spout is broken. Nevertheless, the piece retains the full beauty of its enamelwork and its great historical value, making it a highly sought-after collectible item.

The enamelled and gilded Ottoman crystal from the Beykoz factory features a prominent representation in several major world museums. Due to the extreme fragility of the white opaline (Laleli), identical pieces to your washbasin (ibrik) or sprayer are considered collector’s jewels.The main museums where you can find directly comparable examples for your cataloging are:
1. Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum (Istanbul)
Located in the very district where your piece was made, the Beykoz Glass and Crystal Museum (managed by the Directorates of National Palaces of Turkey) is the world's premier reference. Collection: It houses approximately 1,500 historical glass artifacts, dedicating entire rooms to Beykoz production of the 19th century. Parallel: They display multiple ibriks and rose-water jars in white opaline decorated with the same blue cobalt floral pattern and gold leaf as your piece.
2. Turkish Arts and Islamic Arts Museum (Istanbul)
The Türk ve İslam Eserleri Müzesi houses one of the best state collections of Ottoman court tableware. It has dedicated showcases for glass produced in the imperial İncirköy (Beykoz) factories. Their inventories show ceremonial jars and washbasin sets with an identical color palette, including the characteristic red/orange dots on the bases.
3. Victoria and Albert Museum (London)
The prestigious Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in the United Kingdom has a rich Islamic art section that preserves several Beykoz glass examples (Beykoz işi) acquired in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their online records show opaline Turkish enamelled and gilded jars and bottles that serve as an excellent cataloging basis to verify blowing techniques and leafing.
4. Louvre Museum (Paris)
Within its Department of Islamic Art, the Louvre exhibits Ottoman blown glass pieces. Like your piece, several Beykoz jars and bottles that have survived historical accidents to their long spouts or handles due to original use in the courts and the glass’s thermal fragility are shown with ancient metal or resin restorations.

Bibliography:
Küçükerman, Önder (1985). The Art of Glass and Traditional Turkish Glassware. Ankara: Sümerbank. Why cite it: Professor Küçükerman is the leading academic authority in the Turkish glass industry. This book documents the evolution of imperial workshops founded in Beykoz and details the technique of gold enameling on white opaline (Laleli).
Küçükerman, Önder (1998). Türk Cam Sanayii ve Şişecam (The Turkish Glass Industry and Şişecam). Istanbul: Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları A.Ş. Why cite it: Includes formal and catalog analyses comparing Beykoz glass with European influences (such as Murano or Bohemian glass) of the 19th century.
Museums and Relevant Collections Catalogs
Moraitou, Mina (ed.) (2013). Of Coloured Glass - The Mando & Londos Oeconomides Collection. Athens: Benaki Museum (8th Supplement). Why cite it: This Benaki Museum of Athens catalog is almost entirely devoted to glass produced in Istanbul and Beykoz workshops during the 19th century. It is one of the best international visual references for opaline pieces with gilding.
Bayramoğlu, Fuat (1974). Turkish Glass Art and Beykoz Glass / Türk Cam Sanatı ve Beykoz Camları. Istanbul: Yapı ve Kredi Bankası Yayınları. Why cite it: A classic out-of-print work indispensable for identifying ceremonial sprayer and ibrik forms of the Ottoman court, explaining the cobalt blue palette under gilded surfaces.

From a private collection