Iranian, Islamic Art Selling Like Hot Cakes in London Auctions

The Holy Quran was the frontrunner in all these historic auctions in the spring.  This included critical works of calligraphy and hand-written books from Iran.

One of the top-sellers was the Holy Qur’an from the 15th century, signed Tanam al-Najmi al-Maliki al-Ashrafi, Mamluk Egypt, Dated 21 Jumada I 894/30 April 1489, which sold for 3,724,750 GBP.

Bonhams

In the Islamic and Indian Art Including The Lion and the Sun, art auctioned from Qajar and Indian-Islamic art, 216 artworks fetched a total of 1,570,000 GBP. An illuminated Qur'an from Iran, Qajar Persia, the illumination dated AH 1205/AD 1790, sold for 22,562 GBP.

Sotheby’s

The Arts of the Islamic World including Fine Rugs and Carpets auctioned 302 artworks, fetching a record total of 9,914,625 million GBP. This included magnificent works from Iran:

A rare miniature Qur’an on vellum, North Africa, Near East or Persia, 10th century AD – 93,750 GBP.

Nur al-Din ‘Abd al-Rahman Jami (d.1492), Yusuf wa Zulaykha, signed by Mir ‘Ali, Bukhara, Shaybanid, dated 938 AH/1531-32 AD - 81,250 GBP.

An illuminated sixty-part Qur'an and lacquered box, Persia, Qajar, dated 1258-59 AH/1842-44 AD - 62,500 GBP.

An illuminated miniature Qur’an section on vellum, Persia, late 9th/early 10th century AD – 40,000 GBP.

Christie’s

The Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds Including Oriental Rugs and Carpets fetched in total 16,031,375 GBP with 179 artworks.

Qur;an, signed Tanam al-Najmi al-Maliki al-Ashrafi, Dated 21 Jumada I 894/30 APRIL 148 – 3,724,750 GBP.

Abu Al-Qasim Firdawsi (D. AH 416/1025 AD): Shahnameh – 27,500 GBP.