LONDON.- Christie’s announces the Spring iteration of the bi-annual sale Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Rugs and Carpets, a live auction at Christie’s headquarters in London, on 1 May. This sale celebrates the diverse artistic traditions of the Islamic world, spanning nine centuries and showcasing an impressive array of carpets, ceramics, manuscripts, textiles, works on paper, and metalwork, each piece a testament to the creativity and skill of the artists who created them.

One of the highlights of the Islamic and Indian sale is an extraordinary late Mughal epic manuscript based on the Shahnama, including the Garshaspnama and Samnama, likely created in Lahore, India, in the second quarter of the 18th century. This rare and monumental work, estimate: £700,000-1,000,000 (US$910,000-1,300,000), which includes over 115 paintings, stands as a testament to the grandeur of Mughal literary and artistic traditions. It was previously owned by Asaf al-Dawlah, the Nawab of Oudh, in the final quarter of the 18th century.

The outstanding highlight of the Rugs and Carpets section, (illustrated above right), is an extremely rare Imperial Ming ‘Dragon’ Palace carpet, China (circa 1575-1600). Estimate: £800,000-1,200,000 (US$1,100,000-1,500,000). Woven for Emperor Wanli, (1572-1620) in an Imperial workshop in Beijing, it is one of just seven surviving complete ‘Dragon’ carpets known outside China and is unique in its depiction of the ‘Qi’ or ‘Baby’ dragon. This impressive carpet is the highlight of a group of 14 rare Classical Chinese carpets from the collection of Hans König (1923-2016), a former director of TEFAF, a collection which remains one of the most significant of its type in private hands. This unprecedented group spans 200 years, from the Ming dynasty to the late 18th century under the reign of the great Qing emperors. Each carpet beautifully illustrates the Chinese tradition of using symbols and homophones such as dragons, bats, peonies and butterflies, harnessing the yin-yang philosophy, whereby the opposing forces govern the balance and movement of the composition.

Islamic and Indian Works of Art: Highlights

The Islamic and Indian Art section of the sale offers 129 lots, showcasing a selection of works from across the Islamic world, from the Ottoman Empire, to India, Egypt, Iran, and beyond. Highlights from the earlier periods include a rare group of Seljuk Gold Jewellery from the 11th and 12th centuries, from Eastern Iran, estimate: £150,000-200,000 (US$200,000-260,000). Also featured is an important collection of Egyptian 11th century gold jewellery from the prestigious Kofler-Truniger Collection, offering a rare glimpse into the intricate gold and enamel work of the period. The sale also presents works from the Ottoman Empire, including an exceptional Ottoman costume album, attributed to Ferneci Mehmed, dating from the early 19th century. This stunning album, painted in Istanbul, includes 150 paintings of Ottoman subjects, estimate: £150,000-200,000 (US$200,000-260,000). Additionally, the auction will include a striking selection of Iznik pottery from the Ottoman period, renowned for its vivid designs and rich historical significance. For collectors of Indian art, a spectacular group of 19th century Indian jewellery offers a rare opportunity to acquire highly prized and often wearable pieces. A remarkable Indian work of art is a Gilt-Parcel Processional Childs Carriage (char), made for the Maharaja of Bikaner in mid-19th century Mughal India. Complete with two silver horses and topped by a silver flag, this extraordinary piece is not only visually stunning but also fully functional. Estimate: £80,000-100,000 (US$110,000-130,000). The sale also includes magnificent examples of Kufic script, the oldest form of calligraphic script from across the Islamic world, and a selection of Indian paintings depicting significant moments in Mughal art throughout the 18th century.

Rugs and Carpets: Highlights

The auction promises an exceptional selection of 65 antique rugs and carpets from across the Silk Road spanning four centuries and includes, amongst others, Caucasian village rugs, Ottoman carpets and fine Persian town carpets. Highlights include three impressive Safavid carpets from Isfahan, of noble Portuguese provenance, which latterly belonged to the esteemed American Senator William A. Clark (1839-1925). Renowned for his discerning taste and immense wealth, Clark acquired these pieces during a time when Persian carpets were regarded as the epitome of luxury, estimate: £80,000-120,000 (US$110,000-160,000). The most luxurious carpet in the sale is undoubtedly an extremely well-preserved Qajar silk carpet of impressive scale. Intricately woven in lustrous silk, it would have been the most explicit way of displaying the wealth and status of the patron, estimate: £250,000-350,000 (US$330,000-450,000).