Islamic Works of Art

Artefacts hailing from a vast geographical area come together in west London saleroom

A sword taken from the Indian Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan when he was defeated and killed during the fourth Anglo-Mysore War was hammered down at £12m.

Estimated at a mere £20-40, this Islamic brass bowl on a later associated stand sold for £11,000 at Taylors (25% buyer’s premium) in Montrose.

Dr Richard Piran McClary is a senior lecturer in Islamic art and architecture in the history of art department at The University of York.

Sixteenth century single folio manuscript displays orgiastic spree in graphic detail

Chiswick Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) was another of the London salerooms that held a designated sale in Islamic week.

Rowland George Allanson Allanson-Winn, 5th Baron Headley (1855-1935) led an extraordinary life.

This pair of Indian gem-encrusted gold and champlevé enamel arm bracelets or bazubands are expected to bring £5000-7000 at Chiswick Auctions’ Islamic Art – Property of a European Collector sale in London on October 28.

More images survive depicting Fath ‘Ali Shah (r.1797-1834) than of any other Qajar monarch, the result of an enormous effort to replicate images of the ruler for display throughout his realm.

This 19th century Ottoman silver thread and black silk curtain is embroidered with the tugra of Sultan Mahmud II (1808-39).

Asian Art in London celebrates its twenty-fifth edition with the annual festival, first held in autumn 1998, running from late October to early November.

The awards shortlist for Asian Art in London’s Indian & Islamic section has been announced. The Antiques Trade Gazette Award for An Outstanding Indian & Islamic Work of Art from an Auction House and the Apollo Award for An Outstanding Indian & Islamic Work of Art from a Dealer each have three finalists. Winners will be announced on October 20

An Isnik fritware tile familiar to ATG readers made its second visit to the saleroom last week.

The spring and autumn traditionally turn the London spotlight on Islamic and Indian works of art. This year there are specialist sales at five auction houses in March and April: Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams, Chiswick Auctions and Roseberys. Pictured here are some highlights together with associated works of art from mixed-discipline sales.

A set of six 17th century portraits depicting Ottoman sultans sparked an extraordinary bidding contest at a Sotheby’s online sale.

This exceptional Ilkhanid gold and silver-inlaid brass candlestick has become the most expensive Islamic metalwork sold at auction.