A rare Ottoman red silk covered silver pilgrim flask (matara), possibly 18th century, the flattened bulbous silver body with sloping shoulders and four suspension loops, the cylindrical neck with octagonal domed screw cover, the body covered with a pleated fabric, total weight 2086.7g, height 29cm, width 29cm. Note: pilgrim flasks were seen as a symbol of rank and were particularly sought after in the Ottoman world; this silver example belongs to a rare group of Ottoman fabric-covered flasks. A similar bronze example was offered at Sotheby's Arts of the Islamic World & India sale, Lot 141, London 26th October 2022.