Ottoman Rahle (“Quran Table”)

Ottoman Rahle (“Quran Table”).

The rahle is elaborately decorated in the imperial Istanbul style. It has a stylized central floral (tulip) motif, enclosed within a roundel of triangles inlaid with mother-of-pearl. This motif is repeated as half medallions on either side of the surface and separated by stylized tulips and intertwined with rosettes, scrolls and flower heads in mother-of-pearl. There is also a border of rosettes followed by an outer double border of downward facing triangles in mother-of-pearl and upward facing tortoiseshell triangles. 

On either side of the table, there is a motif of a flower spray in a roundel against a background of scrolling flowerheads in mother-of-pearl; below this, the table legs are in the mihraplı (“mihrab”) style with a protruding medallion with floral motifs. The four legs are also decorated with floral motifs adjoined by scrolling vines in mother-of-pearl followed by a border of triangles.

For similar examples of rahle, see Cevdet Çulpan, Rahleler, Istanbul, 1968, pp. 32-33; illustrations 29-30.  

This object incorporates old ivory and has been registered with Defra

Price on application

This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance