This week, it’s the viewings for the Islamic sales in London.
It’s your chance to see high quality Islamic objects up close! If you’re nice, the sales ladies will probably even let you touch!
There’s lots – but maybe the highlights for me include:
At Sothebys (click here to get to the e-catalogue, then search for the lot number – or just browse):
Lot 475: An illuminated leaf from the Shah Ismail Shahnameh. This has especially lovely illustration of the paintings on the wall behind Kay Khosraw. Other folios are in the Aga Khan online museum here, and in the Reza Abbasi Museum in Tehran.
Lot 584: An Indo-Persian celestial globe. This is such fun!
Sothebys also has an Ottoman and an Orientalist sale.
At Christies (click here to get to the e-catalogue, then search for the lot number – or just browse:
Lot 152: A very cute battle scene from the Shahnama (look especially at the shield).
Lot 153: The execution of Mazdah – also from the Shahnama. Many of the participants (assailants and victims) are dressed in very beautiful textiles – are they woven, are they embroidered?
Lot 155: Bahram Gur in the Green Pavilion – also with very pretty wall paintings.
Last – and most certainly not least: Lot 175: Are these leopards or cheetahs in the background? And look at that very sumptuous palanquin!