Ottoman silver imperial set sells for $130,000 at Istanbul auction

An auction organized by Arthill Müzecilik in Istanbul featured 150 historical artifacts belonging to the Ottoman dynasty. The highest-selling item was a six-piece silver imperial set by Jean-Baptiste Gustave Odiot, originally presented as a circumcision gift to Şehzade Mehmed Burhaneddin Efendi, son of Sultan Abdul Hamid II, during a ceremony at Yildiz Palace in 1891.

The silver set, which includes a teapot, coffee pot, teapot, milk jug, sugar bowl, and tray, sold for $130,000. Including commissions and taxes, the total cost for the buyer reached approximately $179,400 (over 8.5 million TL). The pieces feature the "Odiot à Paris" mark and the monogram "M. B."

Other notable sales included a diamond-encrusted 18-karat gold pocket watch belonging to Şehzade Yusuf İzzeddin Efendi, which sold for $37,500. Additional items sold included a tombak basin and ewer set for $30,000 and a silver imperial jewelry box bearing the tughra of Sultan Abdul Hamid II for $20,000. Several documents bearing the signature of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk were withdrawn from the sale.