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8/2/2019 Sothebys Presents Its Sale Of Arts Of The Islamic World On 25Th April 2012
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For Immediate ReleasePress Release London
London | +44 (0)20 7293 6000 | Kelly Signorelli-Chaplin | [email protected] |Matthew Weigman | [email protected]
A rare and important Ottoman sabre andscabbard with silver-gilt mounts set with
turquoise and gold-inlaid jade panels, Turkey,first half of the 17
thcentury,
est. 350,000 600,000.*
A gem-set gold double-headed eaglependant, Morocco, 18
thCentury, est.
20,000 30,000.*
SOTHEBYS PRESENTS ITS SALE OF
ARTS OF THE ISLAMIC WORLD ON 25TH APRIL 2012
FEATURING MAGNIFICENT AND UNIQUE WORKS OF ART,
RARE AND IMPORTANT MANUSCRIPTS
AND NOBLE JEWELLERY
SOTHEBYS LONDON will present its sale of Arts of the Islamic World on 25th April, 2012.
The auction, which comprises 290 lots and is expected to realise 7 10 million, will include
distinguished Islamic works of art including magnificent examples of weaponry; rare and
important manuscripts; fine ceramic wares; jewellery and fine tapestries and rugs. The sale
will also feature an exceptional selection of ceramics from Part Two of the Harvey B. Plotnick
Collection.
Benedict Carter, Deputy Director and Specialist for Sothebys Middle East Department, said:
This sale presents an opportunity for collectors and institutions to acquire rare and exquisite
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Islamic works of art, many of historical significance and distinguished provenance. We are
also delighted to offer Part Two of the highly esteemed Harvey B. Plotnick Collection, which
had been assembled over the past two decades with an eye towards excellence and rarity.
Magnificent Islamic Weaponry
A magnificent dagger (jambiya) with Ottoman gold-
inlaid jade hilt and Safavid watered-steel blade
signed by Faizallah Shushtari, from Isfahan,
Persia, first quarter of the 17th century, is estimated
at 400,000 600,000. Its discovery is an exciting
addition to the group of recorded works by the master
craftsman Faizallah Shushtari, who was amongst the
greatest steel-makers of the Safavid age. His
employment by Shah Sultan Husayn suggests that this
piece was most probably a royal commission, asevidenced in the superb watered steel blade and the imperial-quality Ottoman jade hilt.
A rare and important Ottoman sabre and scabbard with silver-gilt mounts set with
turquoise and gold-inlaid jade panels from Turkey, first half of the 17th century, is
estimated at 350,000 600,000. This impressive Ottoman sabre would have been made
and used for ceremonial purposes or as a diplomatic gift, displaying the magnificence and
wealth of the Ottoman Empire. Its appearance on the market is a once-in-a-generation
opportunity to acquire a work of great rarity and museum-quality importance.
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Rare and Historic Islamic Manuscripts
An illustrated and illuminated leaf from the Shah
Ismail II Shahnameh: The Party After Homage Paid
to Kay Khosraw by Nobles Following His
Enthronment, ascribed to the artist Burji and
originating from Qazvin, Persia, circa 1577, carries an
estimate of 60,000 80,000. This imperial manuscript
epitomises the grandeur and accomplishment of the
Qazvini school at its zenith and is particularly significant
within the history of Persian painting. Shah Ismail II
probably commissioned this Shahnamehat the beginning
of his rule in 1576, assembling an atelier of young artists
in the capital city of Qazvin. The manuscript was
exhibited at the Muse des Arts Dcoratifs in Paris and at
a later date more than half the pages were purchased byEdmond de Rothschild. Other leaves from the same
manuscript are in the Collection of Prince and Princess
Sadruddin Aga Khan; the Reza Abbasi Museum in
Tehran; and the Art and History Collections Trust in England. The illuminated frontispiece to
this manuscript, undiscovered until now, is also being offered in this sale.
Important Islamic Metalworks and Ceramics
An Artuqid silver-inlaid brass basin made for
Sultan Qara Arslan Ibn Il Ghazi, from Mardin,
Anatolia, second half of the 13th century, is
estimated at 300,000 500,000. The rediscovery
of this basin inscribed with the full title of Sultan
Abi'l-Harith Qara Arslan ibn Il Ghazi, Artuqid ruler
of Mardin, is one of the most important additions to
the corpus of western Islamic metalwork since the
end of the Second World War, and the only one of its kind still in private hands. The
inscriptions have only once been published in full, and have not been seen fully in public until
now, making this sultans Coronation Basin of major
significance for scholars and collectors.
An important Hispano-Moresque plate from Manises,
Valencia, 1430-1470, is estimated at 150,000 180,000. The
impressive size, intact condition and outstanding provenance
mark this out as a superlative example of lustre production in
Muslim Spain. This particular dish is unusual in that it does not
bear a central heraldic shield or other armoury, suggesting that it
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was made either for a non-Christian, most probably Muslim, patron or that it was made for
export.
A large Nishapur plate depicting two seated figures from
Eastern Persia, 10th century, comes from the esteemed Harvey
B. Plotnick Collection and is estimated at 80,000 120,000. This
exceptional example of a buffware plate, probably from Nishapur,
is of considerable iconographic interest. Inscriptions inside the
plate read, in Persian, Nush kon! (Drink!); and around the inner
rim, a repetition of two letters possibly reading Laka (For you).
The couple shown appear to be male and female, suggesting a
marriage or betrothal scene.
A Noble Collection of Moroccan Jewellery
The sale features a rare group of 18th-19th century Moroccan gold
jewellery which provides a fascinating insight into a blending of
cultures at a time when collaboration between Jews and Muslims in
Morocco was at its zenith. The pieces in the collection reflect the
skilled work of Jewish goldsmiths, who adapted stylistic elements
from a number of Berber and Arab designs.
This collection belonged to the Tazi family, one of the leadingfamilies of Tangier. Many pieces were royal gifts, set with
diamonds, emeralds, rubies and pearls, highly cherished for their
beauty as well as symbolic value. The items are distinguished by
their execution entirely in gold, unlike the more common silver
jewellery of Morocco.
A gem-set gold double-headed eagle pendant from Morocco, 18th century, is estimated
at 20,000 30,000. It is sumptuously set with emeralds, pearls and red gemstones, the
necklace composed of pearls and gold filigree beads. This lot is closely comparable to a
similar piece in the Benaki Museum in Athens, which is said to have once belonged in the
collection of Prince Yasensky who was given the piece by Tsarina Alexandra, wife of Tsar
Nicholas II of Russia.
*Estimates do not include the Buyers Premium.
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