A blue and white ewer for the Islamic marketKangxiThe flattened pear-shaped sides brightly painted on both sides with rockwork issuing sprays of blossoms, all surrounded by floral sprigs on the rest of the body, the spout and handle with stylised cloud motifs. 28cm (11in) high.注脚清康熙 外銷伊斯蘭青花花卉紋執壺The shape of this ewer derives from metal vessels, known as aftaba, which were produced in Turkey and India and used in conjunction with a basin for hand-washing. Compare with an ewer of similar decoration, dated to the late 17th/early 18th century, illustrated by R.Krahl and J.Ayers, Chinese Ceramics in the Topkapi Saray Museum, Istanbul: A Complete Catalogue, III, Qing Dynasty Porcelains, London, 1986, no.2153.