TILE WITH CLOUDS TCHI Ottoman Turkey, Iznik, circa 1530-40 Ceramic, painted in cobalt blue and turquoise blue under a transparent colourless glaze, with a central jagged medallion decorated with a cruciform motif of white tchi clouds on a cobalt blue background, extending into two plant medallions and fine floral scrolls painted in cobalt blue, crazing, yellowed glaze, old label on back. Size: 13 x 25.5 cm Provenance: Private collection from the south of France, built up in the 1980s Then by descent to the current owner This tile most likely comes from the Çinili Hamam built in Istanbul by the famous architect Sinan for Admiral Hayreddin Pasha, better known as Barbarossa (d. 1546). The hammam was renowned for its decoration of blue and white Iznik ceramic tiles. Several of the tiles from this hammam are now held in public collections (see the set at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Lyon). Several tiles from the same series have been sold at Christie's, London, 26 April 2012, lot 227; 23 April 2015, lots 158, 159 and 160. A Cinili Hamam Iznik Pottery Tile, Ottoman Turkey, circa 1530-40