Ottoman silver set fetches 6.2 million liras at auction

ISTANBUL

In an Istanbul auction marked by regulatory intervention, a six-piece silver collection belonging to an Ottoman sultan’s son commanded 6.2 million Turkish Liras ($130,000) just as state authorities stepped in to block the sale of historic documents signed by Mustafa Kemal Atatürk.

Arthill Müzecilik auctioned personal items, porcelains, pitchers, jewelry boxes, watches, weapons, swords and medallions. An Odiot-stamped teapot, coffee pot, brewing pot, milk jug, sugar bowl and tray belonging to Mehmed Burhaneddin Efendi, son of Sultan Abdülhamid II, brought 6.2 million liras ($130,000). It was an 1891 “Pîşkeş-i Sûr-ı Hıtân” circumcision gift at Yıldız Palace.

An 18-carat gold, diamond pocket watch with Ottoman numerals and a mirrored monogram for Yusuf İzzeddin Efendi, son of Sultan Abdülaziz, fetched 1.8 million liras ($37,500). A late 18th-century tombak basin-pitcher set sold for 1.4 million liras ($30,000).

A jeweled, enameled double salep cup from the Sultan Abdülmecid era went for 1.2 million liras ($25,000), while a silver imperial jewelry box with Sultan Abdülhamid II’s tughra sold for 957,000 liras ($20,000).

Buyers paid 909,000 liras ($19,000) for an Ottoman Rococo silver and enamel paste-candy bowl and 766,000 liras ($16,000) for a silver basin-pitcher with Abdülhamid II’s tughra.

Authorities withdrew three documents citing the state’s right of pre-emption under the Law on the Protection of Cultural and Natural Properties. These were a 1922 “Application” envelope with Atatürk’s handwritten evaluation and wet signature, a 1926 “Curriculum Vitae” with 25 “Approved” notes and eight signatures, and an edict with Sultan Ahmed III’s decree dated Hijri 1121.

Turkish law grants state museums priority to acquire cultural assets to preserve national heritage.