An Important Shirazi copy of the Khamsas of Nizami and Amir Khusraw Dihlavi Shirazi. Shiraz, Iran. Price realised £2,944,000 (Estimate £500,000 - 700,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2024.

LONDON.- Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Rugs and Carpets sale took place live at Christie’s London on 25 April 2024, realising a total of £10,021,672. This season the sale comprised 261 lots including paintings, ceramics, metalwork, works on paper, arms and armour, textiles and rugs and carpets from across the Islamic world with works dating from the 10th century to the 20th century.

One of the masterpieces leading the sale, a rare and complete illustrated manuscript copy of the Khamsa of Nizami (d.1209) together with the Khamsa of Amir Khusraw Dihlavi (d.1325), realised £2,944,000 more than five times its pre-sale estimate (£500,000 - 700,000) following competitive bidding online and on the telephones. This splendid manuscript is an outstanding example of the Safavid arts of the book in the first half of the 17th century.

Lot 54. The Khamsas of Nizami (D.1209) and Amir Khusraw Dihlavi (D.1325). Colophon signed Muhammad Husayn Dar Al-Marzi on the order of Lutfallah Muzahhib (The Illuminator) Shirazi, Shiraz, Iran, dated between the last day Dhu’l Qa’da AH 1033 / 14 September 1624 AD and 1 Dhu’l Qa’da AH 1035 / 15 July 1626 AD. Price realised £2,944,000 (Estimate £500,000 - 700,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2024.

Highlights:

Lot 171. Sultans of Silk: The George Farrow Collection. A silk and metal-thread Koum Kapi Prayer Rug, signed Zareh Penyamin, Istanbul, Turkey, circa 1920; 190cm x 127cm. Realised £277,200 (Estimate £50,000-70,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2024.

Lot 74. Property from the Collection of Charles and Regina Slatkin: Portrait of a Prince with Attendant, signed Mahmud Muzahhib, Shaybanid Bukhara, circa 1550. Painting 16.5 x 11.4 cm; folio 36.7 x 25.2 cm. Realised £176,400. (Estimate £30,000-50,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2024.

 

Lot 19, A Maghribi Qur’an section, probably Morocco, circa 1300. Folio 20.1 x 18cm. Price realised £315,000. (Estimate £120,000-180,000). © Christie's Images Ltd 2024.