LONDON.- Sotheby’s sales of Islamic and Ottoman art, “An Eye for Opulence: Art of the Ottoman Empire” and Arts of the Islamic World, have realised £9,203,675 ($14,852,256). Both sales have taken place during Sotheby’s ‘Turkish and Islamic Week: Classical to Contemporary’. The topselling lot of the two auctions was an Illustrated and Illuminated Leaf from the Shahnameh of the Shah Ismail II, which achieved £1,385,250 ($2,235,794) well above its pre-sale estimate of £60,000-80,000.

Edward Gibbs, Senior Director and Head of Sotheby’s Middle East and India Department, said: “An Illustrated and Illuminated Leaf from the Shah Isma’il II Shahnameh sold in today’s auction for considerably above its pre-sale estimate. This reflects the continuing demand for outstanding works on paper fresh to the market and of great provenance. The result achieved for this important work follows the sale of an exceptional illustrated folio from the Shahnameh made for Shah Tahmasp of Persia, which achieved a record-breaking price of £7.4 million last year. The £9.2 million achieved in this week’s sales brings the total value of art of Middle Eastern categories sold over the past decade at Sotheby’s to more than £208 million.”

Commenting on the sale of the Exceptional Ottoman Voided Velvet and Metal Thread `Çatma' Panel, Turkey, late 16th Century, Jackie Coulter, Sotheby’s Senior Director, said: “We are extremely pleased with the result attained by the velvet. This piece, with its combination of outstanding quality - both technically and aesthetically; good colour and condition, is an iconic example of its type. The price achieved reflects the market’s desire for the very best of Ottoman textiles.”

Sotheby’s sale of An Eye for Opulence: Art of the Ottoman Empire – 24th April 2012
The single owner sale comprised a broad selection of works across a variety of media, spanning more than four hundred years of Ottoman art from the 15th to the 19th century. In addition to Iznik ceramics, manuscripts, silverware, decorative arts and textiles, the sale also included a number of European paintings and Turqueries, reflecting artistic exchanges between the Ottoman Empire and Europe, and the West’s fascination with the 'exoticism' of the Ottoman court. The sale realized a total of £2,750,075 ($4,436,146).

Sotheby’s sale of Arts of the Islamic World – 25th April 2012
The auction included 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 also featured an exceptional selection of ceramics from Part Two of the Harvey B. Plotnick Collection. The auction’s top-selling lot was An Illustrated and Illuminated Leaf from the Shahnameh of Shah Ismail II, which achieved £1,385,250 ($2,235,794) against a pre-sale estimate of £60,000-80,000. The sale realised a total of £6,453,600 ($10,416,110).

Other highlights include:
• An Exceptional Ottoman Voided Velvet and Metal Thread `Çatma' Panel, Turkey, late 16th Century, sold for £ £325,250 ($524,661); pre-sale estimate £80,000 - 120,000 (An Eye for Opulence: Art of the Ottoman Empire – 24th April 2012).
• A Lady Holding a Carafe, signed by Mohammad Yusuf, Persia, Isfahan, dated 1052 AH/1642 AD, sold for £433,250 ($699,266); pre-sale estimate £40,000 - 60,000 (Arts of the Islamic World – 25th April 2012).