of shallow rounded form with broad sloping rim, supported on a short narrow foot, painted in underglaze cobalt blue, green, yellow and brown, the well with a portrait of Mehmet Fatih with inscription in Italian, the rim decorated with alternating panels of scale patterning and vegetal scrolls issuing floral palmettes, the reverse glazed in mustard yellow with two cobalt blue spirals and a hatched motif to the base

minor chips to rim, three drill holes to foot ring, as viewed.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

inscriptions

uno bello morire tuta la vita onora

'A beautiful death honours all of one's life' (from François Pétrarque) 

This type of dish, displaying flat, non-gloss patterned scales on the wing, was produced by Deruta's Mancini workshop for forty years. A dish in the British Museum decorated with the Arms of Pope Hadrian VI suggests a date of circa 1522-3 (see T. Wilson, Ceramic Art of the Italian Renaissance, 1987, pp.131-2, no.199). Further dishes depicting Ottoman horsemen are known, including one in the collection of the Foundation Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia (see T. Wilson & E.P. Sani, Maioliche Rinascimentale Nelle Collezioni della Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Perugia, 2006, no.17); another published in Tjark Haussmann, Majolica, Berlin, 1974, pp.213-4, and a final dish formerly in the Chavaillon Collection, sold Chatellerault 10th-11th November 2002, lot 70.