art from the islamic & indian worlds donated from a private collection to benefit the university...

8/2/2019 Art From The Islamic & Indian Worlds Donated From A Private Collection To Benefit The University Of Oxford

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For Immediate ReleaseWednesday 14 March 2012

Contact: Dernagh OLeary +44 207 389 2398 [email protected]

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London -Christies is pleased to announce the auction ofA Private Collection donated to benefit

the University of Oxfordon Thursday 26 April. The full sale proceeds will benefit the University of

Oxford and the Bodleian Libraries, where they will be used to fund a chair in Sasanian studies. The

collection comprises approximately 50 lots consisting of works of art on paper from the Islamic and

Indian worlds - calligraphic works, Qurans and Indian miniatures - and is expected to raise in the region

of 2 million. This is a great opportunity for collectors to acquire extraordinary works and contribute to

this philanthropic endeavor, supporting the world-renowned University of Oxford.

William Robinson, Director of the Islamic Art Department, Christies comments:

We are thrilled to have been entrusted to realise the charitable aim of this generous collector. Christies Department of

Islamic Art is proud to support academic excellence and development of studies in this field. This is a hugely impressive

group of works of art which includes a number of world-class masterpieces, notably the extraordinary Yaqut manuscript,

and many are types that rarely come onto the market. This is an outstanding opportunity for people to end up with

wonderful works of art on their walls and at the same time support this hugely important cause.

Richard Ovendon, Deputy Director, Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, comments:The sale of this collection will have a transformative effect on the study of the arts of the book in Oxford, allowing a new

generation to appreciate the riches of the Bodleians historic collections of Persian manuscripts and calligraphy. The funds
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generated by the sale will not only support academic teaching and research at Oxford, but will enable scholars and students

from all over the world to benefit from the curatorial support of the Bodleian that the donors generosity will enable. Thanks

to this benefaction, Oxford will create a new academic position in Sasanian Studies. This will be the only post in the

United Kingdom in this important period in Irans history and culture, and its creation will allow Oxford to train future

generations of scholar in this hitherto neglected field.

The works on paper span a millenniumdating from the 9th century to the 19th century. The leading

highlight is a rare and important Mufradat manuscript, copied by the master calligrapher Yaqut al-

Mustasimi and estimated at 800,000 to 1.2 million (illustrated page 1left). AMufradatis an unusual work

where a calligrapher demonstrates the perfect formation of each letter. Yaqut al-Mustasimi is the leading

figure of the 13th century Baghdad school and considered to be the most influential Islamic calligrapher.

Other important examples of calligraphy include a Quran written entirely in gold from 16th century

Safavid Herat or Bukhara (estimate: 200,000-300,000) and a blue Quran folio from 9th century

Kairouan (estimate: 150,000-250,000). The Indian miniature section is led by an illustration from

Zafarnama, a history of the post-Mongol conqueror Timur, showing the emperor enthroned (estimate:30,000-50,000) and a victorious allegorical portrait of the emperor Jahangir dating from the 17 th century

(estimate: 60,000-80,000 - illustrated page 1right).

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Auction:A Private Collection donated to benefit the University of Oxford- Thursday, 26 April 201210.30am

Christies, 8 King Street, SW1Y 6QT London

Viewing days:

Friday 20 April - 9am-4.30pmSunday 22 April - 2pm-5pmMonday 23 April - 9am-4.30pm

Tuesday 24 April - 9am-8pmWednesday 25 April - 9am-4.30pm

About ChristiesChristies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled 3.6 billion/$5.7 billion. Christies is aname and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 byJames Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcasefor the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorativearts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long andsuccessful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist andModern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled 502 million / $808.6m in 2011, an increase of 44% on the previous year.

Christies has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris,Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zrich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christies has led the market with expanded initiatives inemerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing,Mumbai and Dubai.*Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application ofbuyers orsellers credits.

About the Bodleian LibrariesThe Bodleian Libraries of the University of Oxford form the largest university library system in the United Kingdom. They include theprincipal University librarythe Bodleian Librarywhich has been a library of legal deposit for 400 years; major research libraries; andlibraries attached to faculties, departments and other institutions of the University. The combined library collections number more than 11million printed items, in addition to 30,000 e-journals and vast quantities of materials in other formats. For additional information seewww.bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

# # #Images available on request

Visit Christies Website atwww.christies.comComplete catalogue available online atwww.christies.comor via the Christies iPhone app
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For Immediate ReleaseWednesday 14 March

Contact: Dernagh OLeary +44 207 389 2398 [email protected]

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Islamic & Indian Manuscripts & Works on Paper - Monday, 23 April 2012Oriental Rugs & Carpets - Tuesday, 24 April 2012

A Private Collection donated to benefit the University of Oxford - Thursday, 26 April 2012

Art of the Islamic & Indian Worlds - Thursday, 26 April 2012

Indian & Islamic Works of Art & Textiles - Friday 27 April 2012

London Christies introduce a rich offering for Islamic Art Week in April 2012, with five exceptional

sales in the King Street and South Kensington salerooms. 2011 saw strong results for the category,particularly for rare pieces of Indian and Turkish origin, illustrating the continuing demand across this

market for works of art from the Islamic and Indian worlds. The sale ofArt of the Islamic & Indian Worlds

on 26 April celebrates the exquisite craftsmanship of works of art produced since the 9 th century with a

particular focus on later Islamic art. The sale comprises 300 lots expected to realise a total in the region

of 7 million. On the same day,A Private Collection donated to benefit the University of Oxfordpresents works

of art on paper that will be offered for sale with all proceeds donated to Oxford University (please see

full press releasehere). With other dedicated sales for oriental carpets, works on paper and works of art

and textiles, this week will offer an extraordinary opportunity for buyers to build a collection or decorate

a house.
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OTTOMAN TURKISH ART

The sale ofArt of the Islamic & Indian Worldsincludes a strong array of Ottoman Turkish works of art,

including over 20 pieces of Iznik pottery. The most exceptional lot is an impressive large Iznik pottery

dish, circa1585-90, estimated at 80,000 to 120,000 (illustrated above centre ) which combines floral and

arabesque motifs in vivid colours. It was bought at Christies in 1905 from the collection of Louis Huth

and has passed by descent to the present owner, it is now offered for the first time in over a century.

Other highlights are six Iznik pieces from the

late Heinz Kuckei of Berlin (estimates range

from 1,000 to 50,000), a dish from the

collection of Monique Uzielli (estimate:

40,000-60,000) and a rare Iznik Baluster vase

with a unique Chinese shape and design

originating from 1550 (estimate: 50,000-

70,000).

Other Turkish highlights include a number of

Qurans and calligraphy, such as a Quran from

Ottoman Turkey, signed Muhammad Al-Wasfi,

dated AH 1245/1829-30 AD (estimate: 7,000-

10,000illustrated right).

INDIAN ART

Indian art is strongly represented in the sale, notably with a superb Mughal section which includes an

exceptional jade-hilted dagger with the original blade. Decorated with gold inlay and encrusted with

emeralds and rubies, it originates from early 17th century central or northern India (estimate: 100,000-

150,000 illustrated page 1right ). A gemset rock crystal bottle is another Mughal treasure from the 17th

century, decorated with gold and gemstones (estimate: 100,000-150,000 illustrated page 1left ). Other

Indian objects include a gun from 1832 given by Ranjit Singh, the Lion of the Punjab (estimate:

20,000-30,000) and a 19th century Sikh battle flag (estimate: 15,000-25,000).

The Indian miniature section is led by a

rediscovered folio of great beauty from the

St Petersburg Muraqqa, which is amongst the

most spectacular albums of miniatures

known. Ladies by a river, dating from circa

1680, is estimated 30,000-50,000. The

miniature depicts ladies bathing in a river

with detailed Rheinland landscape of a

forest, a castle and a dramatic sky. A

calligraphy from the sameMuraqqais priced

at 8,000-12,000.


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OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

A great array of other works of art spanning a wide range of geographical areas, materials and time are

included in the sale. A leading highlight is an important and rare enameled and gilt glass bottle from 13 th

century Syria decorated with unique bilingual Arabic and Byzantine Greek inscriptions and applied small

animal shapes (600,000-800,000, illustrated above right).

The metalwork section is led by a large Mamluk basin made of shiny brass for the last important

Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, Qansuh al-Ghuri, in the early 16th century (estimate: 40,000-60,000illustrated

above left). Contemporaneous with this are two silver inlaid vessels that clearly demonstrate the trade links

between Syria and Europe; one even bears an Italian coat of arms (estimates: 15,000-25,000 and

7,000-10,000).

Highlights from Iran include

a remarkable group of

evocative and brightly

coloured 19th century

paintings; consisting of a

magnificent and impressively

detailed portrait of Nasir al-

Din Shah Qajar by

Muhammad Hassan Afshar

(estimate: 70,000 -100,000

illustrated left), An equestrian

portrait of Sepahsalarby Isma'il Jalayir (estimate: 60,000-

80,000) and A court musician playing the kemanche, School of

Abu'l Qasim (estimate: 70,000-100,000). Another

fascinating Iranian object is a rare and large fragment of

carved grey stone schist roundel, illustrating combating

animals, from 15th

century Timurid Iran (estimate:200,000-300,000illustrated above right).


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SOUTH KENSINGTON HIGHLIGHTS

Christies South Kensington will present two sales dedicated to Islamic

art this season, along with approximately 100 other lots of decorative

arts from the Islamic world in the Interiorssale on 24 April. The auction

of Islamic & Indian Manuscripts & Works on Paper on 23 April, the first

sale dedicated to Islamic works on paper at Christies for over twenty

years. It includes around 400 lots and is expected to realise in excess of

600,000. Amongst the large selection of Persian & Indian manuscripts,

the highlight is a Quran from Sultanate India, 16th century (estimate: 3,000-4,000 illustrated right).

Other important lots in this sale include an Ottoman prayer book for the days of the week, from the

Library of Sultan Bayezid II (r. 1481-1512) from Turkey, second half 15 th century (estimate: 6,000-

8,000) and miniatures from Mughal India by the court painter Anup Chattar, dated 1658-9 AD: Portrait of

the Mughal emperor Aurangzeband Portrait of a military officer(estimates: 7,000-10,000 each).

The sale ofIndian & Islamic Works of Art & Textiles, on 27 April, comprises

approximately 500 lots, with a total in the region of 800,000. The most

important pieces are an opulent 18th century Ottoman jewelled silver

presentation sword (kilij), from Constantinople (estimate: 6,000-8,000

illustrated left) and a fine silver enameled bottle with figural decoration from

early 19th century Lucknow, India (estimate: 6,000-8,000). Textiles

highlights include an Ottoman silk embroidered linen cover dating from

the 18th century (estimate: 15,000-18,000) and an unusual Susani from

Bokhara (estimate: 4,000-5,000).

ORIENTAL RUGS & CARPETS

The sale ofOriental Rugs & Carpetson 24 April will feature approximately 240

carpets, mainly from Persia, including examples by the most famous weavers,

along with great Caucasian and Turkish rugs, the sale is expected to realise in

the region of 2.5 million. Rare and exceptional examples will delight

collectors: highlights include a 13th century Seljuk carpet fragment from

Konya, central Anatolia, which is truly unique: no such carpet has ever been

for sale at international auction (estimate: 200,000-300,000); The Boehringer

white ground cintamani prayer rug from 16th century West Anatolia, which was

gifted to Geigy Ltd in 1958 by Boehringer & Sohn (estimate: 80,000-

120,000); and the outstanding silk, gold and silver thread Koum Kapicarpet

from Istanbul, Turkey, circa1920 (estimate: 120,000-180,000illustrated right)

are amongst the highlights. Decorators will be equally pleased with several superb pieces coming from

British country houses such as theAmritsarrug which originates from North India, circa1890 (estimate

30,000-50,000) and an Ushak carpet from West Anatolia, circa1900 (estimate 30,000-40,000).# # #

Images available on requestVisit Christies Website atwww.christies.com
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