Arts of the Islamic World & India

A Shakhrisabz suzani, Uzbekistan, first half 19th century

UK: Greenford Park Warehouse

Estimate

15,000 - 20,000 GBP

Lot Details

Description

244 by 189cm. approx.

The textiles of Mughal India formed the source inspiration of many of the floral designs present in the embroideries of Central Asia (see Oakley 2020, pp.62-71). In this example the ascending plant arrangement can be compared to the flowering tree of life motif on Coromandel Coast palampores (see V&A, inv. no.IS.182-1965, Oakley, op.cit., p.68).

Its application on this suzani is lively, with feathery blue leaves bursting from each of the flowers. In layout, it is closely comparable to a suzani sold at Rippon Boswell, 11 April 2015, lot 76, and related to an eighteenth century suzani sold in these rooms, 30 April 2025, lot 640. The use of light blue is particularly effective here which lifts the palette in both the border and field.

Krishna and Radha lost in admiration, attributed to Chokha, India, Rajasthan, Devgarh, circa 1811-20

Estimate: 60,000 - 80,000 GBP

An illuminated miniature Qur'an, Persia, Qajar, dated 1235 AH/1819-20 AD

Estimate: 7,000 - 10,000 GBP

‘Ala’-al-Din Abu’l-Hasan ‘Ali Ibn Abi al-Hazm al-Qarshi, known as Ibn al-Nafis (d.1288-89), Sharh tashrih Qanun Ibn Sina (A commentary on the anatomy in Al-Qanun of Ibn Sina), probably Iraq, Ilkhanid, dated 20 Sha'ban 734 AH/3 May 1334 AD

Estimate: 200,000 - 300,000 GBP

A royal sword (saif) dedicated to King Saud ibn Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia (r.1953-64) with scabbard, signed ‘Abd Allah al-Akwa, Yemen, Sanaa, dated AH 1375/1955-56 AD

Estimate: 70,000 - 100,000 GBP

An impressive illuminated Qur'an volume, attributable to Ya'qut al-Musta'simi, probably Baghdad, Iraq, late 13th century

Estimate: 100,000 - 150,000 GBP

Nur al-Din 'Abd al-Rahman Jami (d.1492 ), Kulliyat, copied by Mir ibn Muhib Rashidi, Persia, Safavid, late 16th century

Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000 GBP

A large and impressive illuminated Qur'an, Persia, Safavid, 16th century; with Mughal illumination, early 18th century

Estimate: 400,000 - 600,000 GBP

An old shepherd leaning on his staff in a landscape, signed by Mu'in Musavvir, Persia, Isfahan, Safavid, dated 19 Rabi' al-Awwal 1087 AH/1676 AD

Estimate: 80,000 - 120,000 GBP

Abu 'Abdullah al-Quda'i (d.1062 AD), Kitab shihab al-akhbar (on Prophetic traditions), copied by 'Ali ibn Sharwan ibn 'Ali al-Qazwini, probably Iraq, late Ilkhanid or early Jalayirid, dated 10 Shawal 741 AH/5 April 1341 AD

Estimate: 70,000 - 90,000 GBP

A large illuminated Qur'an, Persia, Safavid, early 16th century

Estimate: 50,000 - 70,000 GBP