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* A FLORAL SENNEH KILIM
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Western Iran, 19th century
Finely and uniformly slit-tapestry-woven in coloured wools, the black field with neat rows of floral-filled butis, the triple borders of off-white ground woven with stylised floral meanders, green tape backing along the vertical border, 180cm x 138cm.
£1,500-£2,000
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* A QAJAR AUBERGINE GLASS EWER
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century
With a globular body, worked with drop-shaped gadrooning and ridged circular base, the hot-worked handle and scrolling decoration decorating the waisted tall neck, the very thin curved spout ending with a tri-lobed finial, both the handle and the spout imitating stylised Timurid dragons, 19.5cm high.
£600-£800
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A BRASS 'MAGIC' BOWL
Iran, late 19th century
Of typical hemispherical shape, on short straight foot, with everted flat rim, the central boss worked on the wheel in the shape of a pyramid with flat top, the body fully engraved with naskh calligraphy in round medallions to the cavetto and talismanic inscriptions overall on the rest of the body, Zodiac signs in roundels on the exterior and more calligraphy to the base, the rim pierced three times, a later kasshe-ye chehel kelid (the talisman of the forty keys) hanging from one of these holes, possibly used for repentance and counting the number of prayers - actions the repentant had to go through, 16cm diam.
£400-£600
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* A LARGE QAJAR GILT AND ENAMELLED SILVER QALYAN CUP
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century
Of typical flaring form, with everted rim, the exterior finely decorated with gilt stippled appliqued decoration against an enamelled dark blue ground, the rim and base covered in green enamel, the central decorative band consisting of drop-shaped medallions filled with rows of white enamelled discs and leafy crowns framing red and green enamelled rosettes alternating with vegetal and floral triumphs similarly decorated; the lower band framed by gilt and white-enamelled dots and filled with acanthus leaf trellis holding red-enamelled discs, the composition reminiscent of French enamelled artworks of 18th and 19th centuries, the interior enamelled in dark blue, 10cm diam, and 7.3cm high.
£1,400-£1,600
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* A QAJAR ENAMELLED COPPER QALYAN CUP
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century
Of typical flaring form, with everted rim, the exterior finely embellished with polychrome-painted enamels, alternating roundels and vertical oval cartouches with figural decoration interspersed by vertical bands of colourful flowers and birds, the two vertical oval cartouches with male characters, one princely-dressed and holding a bouquet and the other with a dervish cap and an axe (tabarzin); the two roundels with a lady and her lover, the lower edge with half-moon cartouches filled with wild animals and the sun and lion, the symbol of the Qajar dynasty, the interior with turquoise enamel, 5.2cm high.
£1,500-£2,500
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* A QAJAR ENAMELLED PIPE ELEMENT
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century
Of traditional shape, with a tubular section emerging from one side to inhale the smoke, a circular base to fill with tobacco and with a waisted neck with a wide circular mouth to get the air in, the full body decorated with golden trellis, rosettes and paisley motifs against a dark blue ground, the base with a spiralling design alternating gilt and dark blue-enamelled stripes with green-enamelled ones, the neck with three polychrome-painted oval medallions portraying two youths and a lady, possibly two beaus with the subject of their competition; 9cm long and 5cm high.
£600-£800
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* A QAJAR GILT AND BLUE ENAMELLED SILVER QALYAN (WATER PIPE)
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century
Of traditional ovoid form, the spout of compressed circular shape and the rim with a floral collar, the decoration of the body divided in three main registers, the top and bottom ornate with oval roundels filled with floral bloom and interspersed with blossoming bouquets and vegetal festoons framed by two bands of scrolling vine tendrils with grape; the gilt decoration appliqued and painted with green, red and turquoise enamels, the whole composition against a vibrant dark blue-enamelled ground, the silver ground worked with knurling in a similar fashion to French guilloche enamels, the central register of the body with spiky claws, gilt and enamelled, approximately 23cm high.
£2,500-£3,500
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* TWO LARGE QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PANELS WITH WEDDING SCENES
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, 19th century
Comprising two panels, each of rectangular shape, polychrome-painted and heightened with gold against a translucent ground, the central decorative composition divided in three horizontal bands depicting different moments of a traditional wedding ceremony, from the males' gathering to discuss the proposal and draft the contract to the moment the female counterpart is made aware of the verdict, from the procession to the actual celebration, framed within three bands of concentric decorative geometric and floral motifs, mounted, glazed and framed, 68.5cm x 54.4cm including frames.
£1,800-£2,200
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A COPPER ALLOY MUGHAL-STYLE DRAGON-SPOUTED EWER
Qajar Iran, 19th century
Of typical drop shape, flattened on the sides, resting on an oval splayed foot, rising to a tapering neck, interrupted by a protruding disc, the spout with a Persian dragon-shaped end, the curved handle to the side also imitating stylised Persian dragon handles, the domed lid flattened on the sides as well and topped by a floral bud finial, the body a real triumph of incised and engraved figural decoration, the two central chased drop-shaped medallions depicting King Solomon, his face covered and around his head a flaming halo, in the first medallion seated on a throne in front of creatures from all realms, in the latter supervising the construction of a brick building, the rest of the body without a single inch deprived of decorative elements, several oval medallions filled with the Kings of the Past, mythical creatures, demons, characters from the epics, mythical legends and religious parables, the lid and spout with fighting animals, riders, and more figures, the handle with arabesque motifs and at the bottom two acrobats mirroring each other, the foot with a grid of palmettes and a band of split palmettes at the bottom, 38.7cm high.
For further information on this lot please see the catalogue online.
£1,500-£1,800
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* A NECKLACE WITH QAJAR GOLD ENAMELLED SQUARE PENDANTS
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, the pendants 19th century, the chain 20th century
The necklace designed with a simple chain, passing through the hoops of the square enamelled pendants, each with a gold foil pyramidal composition encrusted at the top with a red stone reacting to UV light, possibly spinels, the edges and back polychrome-painted with green, white and pink-enamelled floral motifs, each pendant caparisoned with pearls, each of a slightly different shape, spinels and pearls untested, 41cm full length.
£1,200-£1,800
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* A QAJAR POLYCHROME-ENAMELLED QALYAN STEM WITH A MATCHING COCONUT QALYAN (WATER PIPE)
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, mid to late 19th century
Comprising a tall cylindrical stem, made of three loose parts, the central section umbrella-shaped and caparisoned with red beads, the exterior painted in polychrome enamels with pink and blue flowerheads and gilt medallions filled with green enamel, 14cm high; and a coconut qalyan, of traditional ovoid form, the rim and spout made of gilt copper, the coconut clawed between two polychrome-enamelled sections decorated with lush floral and vegetal motifs, gilt copper bands holding it in place, their drop-shaped terminals once inset with turquoise beads, approximately 23cm high.
£1,500-£2,000
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A QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ MIRROR CASE
Iran, 19th century
Of rectangular form, the flap loose and without hinges, polychrome painted against gold-sprinkled dark ground, the front and back decorated with the standard gul-o-bulbul motif, naturalistic rendering of flora and fauna framed within two borders of gold floral and vegetal tendrils, the interior with a court scene, a court lady attending her toilette and getting ready, a black maiden in the background, the interiors and overall composition a mixture of Western-inspired curtains and dresses and typically Iranian physiognomies, furniture and carpet, 14.7cm x 23cm.
£1,400-£1,600
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A LACQUERED WEIGHT AND SCALE BOX
Qajar Iran, second half 19th century
The rectangular wooden base carved to fit the steel balancing arms and weights (eight remaining), and a pair of brass balance plates, the cylindrical weights of cast steel embellished at the top with geometric patterns, the bases marked with standardised dots, the brass lid of the micro-weights container signed Seyyed Bagher, the surface in burnt orange and decorated in gold with scrolling lines and peacock-feather 'eyes', the inside lid carved with small holes to accommodate the weights, with a pair of white birds in polychrome rose-bushes flanking narcissi on red ground, the outer lid with typical gul-o-bulbul motif, within a border of Persian poetry in eight half-lines of nasta'liq script, connecting to the base with a steel catch, the exterior sides decorated with clusters of stylised polychrome roses against a dark ground, the larger of balancing arms and plates missing, 25cm x 15cm x 4.5cm
£800-£1,200
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TWO QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASES (QALAMDAN)
Iran, late 19th - early 20th century
Comprising two pen cases, both with rounded ends and sliding tray, the top and sides painted with horizontal compositions, the first with the typical gul-o-bulbul motif, more vegetal decoration on the sides, polychrome-painted against dark ground, the inner tray with gold trellis and scrolling floral tendrils on red ground, 22cm long; the latter with figural cartouches depicting Westernised children at play interspersed by floral cartouches with irises, roses and daffodils, polychrome-painted against light ground, the inner tray with stylised gold lotus scrolls on red ground, 22.5cm long.
£600-£800
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TWO LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASES (QALAMDAN)
Iran, late 19th century
Each with rounded ends and sliding tray, the top and sides of one painted with horizontal composition of birds on branches amidst wild berries or hazelnuts and lush leaves, polychrome-painted on a black ground, the internal tray and the underside with gold trellis and floral scrollwork on a red ground, 23cm long; and another similar one, the top with three figural roundels, the central one with Madonna and child and winged angels, the lateral two with Western-looking ladies holding a cross and a parrot, on the sides Western-inspired landscape scenes on a riverside, other cartouches filled with floral bloom, the internal tray and the underside with gold trellis and floral scrollwork on a black ground, 22.5cm.
Provenance: Acquired in 1960s-1970s in Iran and in the UK since 1981.
£400-£600
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A PAIR OF LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ BOOK COVERS
Iran, 19th century
Possibly the binding for a Shahnama manuscript, depicting an epic battle, probably between Keykavoos and the Touranians, one panel with Rustam on foot shooting an arrow towards a dismounted opponent and steed, two armies facing one another on a green open landscape, including a European on a white elephant viewing the battle through a spyglass in his howdah, the verso delicately painted with narcissi and iris and butterflies on a lacquer red base, 20.7cm x 32cm; the other panel displaying the same battle scene, viewed from the opposite side, with mounted Rustam dragging the European with a rope around the neck, his plumed hat asunder, trampling on the body of a foe, to the cheer of the trumpeters, the verso as before, both on bespoke wooden stands.
Provenance: Private UK collection, purchased in Iran in the late 1960s, thence in the family by descent.
£200-£300
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A FITTED LACQUERED WEIGHT BOX
Iran, 19th century
The oblong box of red lacquer, the top with lobed medallion and corners in-filled with minute floral decorations, the sides with matching motifs in smaller scale, the hinged lid opens to reveal four sets of scales, weights, and tools in diminishing sizes, the arms and tools in steel, the weights and plates in brass, the hinged lids to interior compartments in engraved brass, the smallest set within its own fitted case beneath a hinged brass lid, the two lead micro-weights stamped 16 and 32 in Arabic numerals, possibly Russian or French, the interior of the fitted area decorated in matching floral decoration to the top, the brass weights and plates stamped, handles to the sides of the box, the inside of the lid lined with padded red cloth, edged with crenelated gilt wood strip, 47cm x 31.5cm x 9cm.
Provenance: Acquired in 1960s-1970s in Iran and in the UK since 1981.
£1,200-£1,400
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* A QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASE (QALAMDAN)
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, dated Safar 1290 AH (February - March 1873)
With rounded ends and sliding tray, polychrome-painted and heightened with gold against dark ground, the top painted with vertical composition, the central roundel with a bird on a branch with berries, above and below it roundels of floral bloom, the sides decorated with Western-inspired landscape scenes, the internal tray and the underside with gold lines on black ground, in the central roundel of the top a dedication to Aqa Mirza Bozorg, signed by Fath Allah and dated Safar 1290 AH, 21.2cm long.
£800-£1,200
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* A QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASE (QALAMDAN)
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, dated 1270 AH (1853) and ascribed to Najaf 'Ali
With rounded ends and sliding tray, polychrome-painted and heightened with gold against light
brown ground, the top and sides painted with horizontal figural composition with portraits of youths, lovers, and court scenes, the background decorated with floral bloom, birds and sprinkled gold dust
on light brown ground, the internal tray and the underside with gold interlocking tendrils and stylised lotus flowers on red ground, signed Ya Shah Najaf (Najaf 'Ali) and dated 1270 AH, 23.7cm long.
£1,000-£1,500
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A QAJAR LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASE (QALAMDAN)
Iran, mid-19th century, in the style of Abu Talib al-Mudarris
With rounded ends and sliding tray, painted in red, green, yellow and black and heightened with gold, the top and sides painted with an unusual snake skin pattern with uneven veneering and spiralling format, possibly an alternative variation to the clouds motif (abr-o-bad), the internal tray and underside characterised by the so-called 'engine-turning' design in black and green over a yellow ground, 21cm long.
For lacquer works presenting similar decorative motifs in the style of or attributable to Abu Talib al-Mudarris, please see Christie's South Kensington, 7 October 2013, lot 170 and Bonhams London, 23 October 2018, lot 68.
£600-£800
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A LACQUERED PAPIER-MÂCHÉ PEN CASE (QALAMDAN)
Iran, mid to late 19th century
With rounded ends and sliding tray, the top and sides polychrome painted on dark ground with horizontal figural composition of Western-inspired scenes, on the top the central roundel with a servant and a bare lady reclining on lavish cushions, and two lateral roundels with swans, on the sides a Madonna and child surrounded by angels and Renaissance-style figures with more angels in Heaven, the internal tray and the underside decorated with gold trellis with stylised lotus flowers and saz leaves against black ground, 23.5cm long.
£800-£1,200
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A MONUMENTAL COPPER AND SILVER-INLAID REVIVAL EWER
Possibly Iran or Syria, 20th century
Of pyriform shape, on splayed foot, with sinuous handle and spout, the body worked with courtly scenes on each side, one with musicians and a female dancer performing in a garden before a ruler, the other with a royal picnic in a garden, the scenes within tear-drop shapes formed by scrolling butis, surrounded by scrolling flowering foliage, 63cm high.
£500-£700
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A PAIR OF PIERCED BRASS CANDLE HOLDERS
Iran, 20th century
Each of tall, narrow form with a cuboid base, on short splayed foot, worked with pierced scrolling decoration and intricately carved borders, oval medallions containing birds in bushes, the base with portrait busts of mythical Persian kings from the Shahnama: one with Bahman, Dara, Homai, and Shapur, 79cm high.
£300-£500
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THREE SAFAVID-STYLE INCISED BRASS VESSELS
Qajar Iran, 19th century
Comprising a bulbous bucket with circular handle, the exterior decorated with a multitude of figures, both mythical and real, and animals contained within cartouches created by interlocking vegetal tendrils, the base plain, 15cm diam, and 14cm high; a small gourd-shaped bottle with hemispherical lid and flaring mouth, the exterior decorated with several concentric bands of figural roundels with both mythical creatures, humans and animals, and of split-palmette tendrils, the base heavily incised with an intricate arabesque, 11cm high; and a tall bottle with compressed circular body and elongated tapering neck, the decoration similar to the other two vessels in pure Safavid style, decorative pierced work on the base and sides of the body, neck and lid, 43.7cm high.
£1,200-£1,400
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A MONUMENTAL CEREMONIAL BRASS 'ALAM FINIAL
Iran, 19th century
The two-sided circular, drum-shaped finial of engraved and pierced brass with cabochon turquoise pieces marking the main outlines, one face upside down, the central radiating visage of the sun surrounded by pairs of regardant jinns and humans, the outer registers with crouching and seated figures in roundels, a row of intersecting circles with standing jinns and birds, the plain cylindrical base soldered to the drum, the top reinforced with a metal plate and brass finials, 19cm the base, 20cm depth, 51cm diameter.
£600-£800
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A TINNED COPPER KASHKUL (BEGGING BOWL)
Iran, dated 1342 AH (1923)
Of typical boat shape, on a polylobed straight foot, the chain hoops modelled as stylised dragon-heads, the exterior engraved with an epigraphic band below the rim with the date 1342, the main body engraved with butis, arabesque medallions, birds and floral motifs, 15.2cm x 21.8cm.
£500-£700
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A SET OF A QAJAR HELMET (KHULA KHUD), SHIELD AND ARM-GUARD (BAZUBAND)
Iran, 19th century
Comprising a hemispherical helmet, with its original mail, a pointy spike as finial, two aigrette holders to the front separated by a central long nose-guard, the engraved exterior decorated with vegetal cartouches filled with floral sprays, the base with epigraphic cartouches, 20.5cm diam.; a large circular shield, four central bosses with floral collars, the engraved exterior with floral sprays and vegetal scrollwork, the band around the rim and the very central medallion with epigraphic cartouches, the back plain and with original handle, 53.4cm diam.; and an arm-guard with its original strap, the decoration with rosettes within vegetal rhomboidal cartouches, 33.5cm long.
£1,800-£2,200
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A FOOTED TINNED COPPER BASIN
Iran, late 18th - early 19th century
Of compressed hemispherical shape, resting on a splayed conical foot, with slightly everted rim, three main registers of decoration, the first on the neck engraved with bold nasta'liq calligraphy invoking the Twelve Imams and Fatima against scrollwork of spiralling vegetal tendrils, below it a band of tri-lobed palmettes within vegetal frames, the final register engraved with the typical pattern of alternated cusped medallions and arabesques, filled with diamond-shaped motifs, 34.5cm diam.
For the full inscription around the neck and its translation, please see the catalogue online.
£1,500-£2,000
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A FIGURAL HUNTING SCENE KALAMKARI
Qajar Iran, 19th century
The hanging of ecru cotton, printed and painted with a turbaned and mustachioed nobleman on horseback in the foreground attacking a fierce lion with a sword, a crowned youth on horseback hunting gazelles with a bow and arrow, the mountainous landscape and the scene observed by mounted royal attendants, within an archway bordered by floral decorations, the lower border cut along the crenelated decoration, the centre inscribed 'The hunting ground of Shah Ismail Khatai, work of Mirza Abdul-Rahim Naqqash Isfahani' in nasta'liq script within a lobed cartouche, 196cm x 154cm.
£200-£300
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A PAIR OF TURQUOISE-ENCRUSTED SILVER ZARFS
Ottoman provinces, early 20th century
Each wheel-worked body inlaid with small cabochon turquoise pieces to outline the crenelated top and three floral sprays in semi-circles, on splayed foot, 5cm diameter, 5cm high.
£200-£300
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A LACQUERED SADDLE WITH STIRRUPS
Bukhara, Uzbekistan, 19th century
The maroon seat bordered with a green band decorated with gold and white florets, the top outer rim in black and white, the underside in black and lacquer red, the green base worked in an embossed pattern of small dots to provide grip, complete with straps, 46cm x 28cm x 31cm.
£600-£800
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A QAJAR MOULDED POTTERY TILE WITH A BANQUET SCENE
Iran, 19th century
Of rectangular shape, painted in manganese purple, cobalt blue, turquoise and black on white blue ground, the decoration consisting of a banquet scene, a female attendant standing in the centre, possibly a cup-bearer or dancer, around her men holding their cups, in the background two chiefs in discussion flanked by their pages, floral bloom on the corners and more sinuous floral tendrils on the outer edge, framed, 33cm x 42cm including the frame.
£800-£1,200
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AN ASHURA PROCESSIONAL BANNER
Qajar Iran, dated 1323 AH (1905)
Of 30-60-90 triangular shape, the taupe field heavily worked in metallic threads and silver spangles with spot motifs in a variety of stitches, with the Royal emblem of the Lion of 'Ali holding the sword, and the sun rising behind, shielded by a small canopy, a crescent and star above, the full sun in the right angle, bearing the words Allah, Mohammad, 'Ali, Fatima, Hassan, and Hossein, Qur'an sura 61 v. 28, heralding victory with the help of Allah, and inscribed with a dedication to the Lord of Martyrs (Hossein), dedicated from the worshipful company of the people of Yazd, under the supervision of Haji Ali of Taft, dated 1323, the borders heavily worked in raised work with dedications to the Lion of Men ('Ali), the bismillah, and a proclamation of 'Ali as the sole brave man and his zulfiqar the only sword, the eyes of the sun and the lion in stained shell or ceramic, mounted on brown felt and box-framed in plexyglass, 81cm x 137cm x 115cm, 86cm x 121cm x 11cmx 130cm x 16cm including frame
For further information on this lot, please see the catalogue online.
£800-£1,200
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A SMALL PARCEL-GILT SILVER BOX
Iran, 18th - 19th century
Of rectangular shape, with evened edges, the exterior incised with scrolling tendrils and blooming branches, the centre and sides ornate with polylobed parcel-gilt floral cartouches and nielloed fillings, approximately 6cm x 4cm.
Provenance: Acquired in 1960s-1970s in Iran and in the UK since 1981.
£200-£300
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A TURQUOISE-GLAZED POTTERY JUG
Iran, early 20th century
Of globular shape, on a circular flat foot, with a tall straight neck, underglaze painted in black and covered in turquoise glaze, the decoration consisting of a grid pattern with jagged abstract rhomboidal designs, a band of triangular motifs on the neck, 27.5cm high.
£200-£300
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* A LARGE SILK BROCADE PANEL
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Iran, late 18th century, assembled later
A joined panel of pale apricot satin silk, brocaded in pastel shades with alternating rows of flowering bushes with parrots, the added borders of deep indigo silk brocaded with small floral motifs, the corner squares of raspberry pink silk with floral sprigs, framed and fronted with sheet plexyglass, 141cm x 89cm, 153cm x 103cm including frame.
£1,500-£2,000
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* A SMALL RECTANGULAR GOLD BOX
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Isfahan, Iran, early 20th century, marked Abdol Hosein '750'
Of rectangular shape with sharp edges, the hinged lid and base engraved with birds amidst dense scrolls of floral tendrils, the sides with intricate arabesques, knotwork, cusped cartouches filled with palmettes and stylised lotus flowers, assay mark gold '750' 18K to the interior, 74gr, 6cm x 4.5cm.
£1,500-£2,000
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A MATCHED SILVER TEA SET
Iran, 20th century,
The round tray worked in a concentric pattern of floral palmettes and lotus flowerheads, 28cm diameter; the six glass holders of filigree openwork containing modern glasses, 6cm high; with two sugar pots, one with lid, all stamped Fadavi Isfahan '84'.
£800-£1,000
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FOUR SERVING SWEETMEAT DISHES
Iran, 20th century
Of circular form, with eight-lobed rim on short splayed foot, engraved with an elaborate design of stylised palmettes and lotus flowerheads, stamped Reza '84', 27cm diameter.
£240-£260
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A COPPER BASIN
Iran, late 19th century
Of compressed globular shape, on a short circular foot, with a tall neck with everted rim, the body incised with fine vegetal trellis and floral sprouts, diamond-shaped fretwork and floral tendrils below and above the central band, on the neck four calligraphic cartouches in shekasteh nasta'liq with quatrains by Sa'di interspersed with arabesques and more floral tendrils, 26.5cm high.
Inscription: With delicacy and tender words, you can pull an elephant by one single hair.
£400-£600
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A LATE QAJAR SILVER VASE
Iran, late 19th century
Of oval urn-like shape, possibly inspired by Western models, with flared neck and wide mouth, resting on four zoomorphic feet designed as bird's feet on the top and as lion's paws on the bottom, two stylised sinuous handles attached on the body and rim, the repoussé decoration on the body consisting of polylobed medallions incised with full vegetal bloom alternated with floral tendrils and birds, stamped '84' and marked in Persian, weight 1221 gr, and 28.4cm high.
£400-£600
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A POLYCHROME-PAINTED POTTERY DUCK AND SERVING PLATE
Iran, early 20th century
Comprising a circular serving plate, one a short circular foot, with splayed rim, the centre with concentric circles in yellow and red surrounded by festoons of rosettes, the cavetto with a continuous band of polychrome-painted ducks against vegetal ground, the rim with a triangular geometric motif, the exterior plain, 32.5cm diam.; and a duck, possibly used to contain essential oils, with a floral bouquet to the breast, polychrome-painted wings, 14.5cm long.
£200-£300
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A SQUARE UNCUT MUHARRAMAT SHAWL CLOTH
Kerman, Iran, late 19th century
The typical striped shawl designed in alternating broad bands and triple narrow bands, twill-tapestry woven in brightly-coloured wools with rows of delicate stylised flowers, 188cm x 165cm.
£400-£600
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An ENGRAVED BRASS TRAY WITH FIGURAL DECORATION
Iran, mid 20th century
Of oblong shallow form, engraved into divisions, the centre with a seated Shah Abbas, framed by portrait bust ovals of mythical Persian rulers from the Shahnama, as well as Nadir Shah, the sides with a Bazm va Razm theme: music, wine, and birds in blossoming trees representing peace and leisure, and scenes of hunting with sword, bow and arrow, and musket symbolising battles; the inner border engraved with three lines of Persian poetry by Sa'di in nasta'liq script, twice signed Amal Bagher Qalamzan Isfahani, 38cm x 58cm
£200-£300
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TWO PIERCED BRASS DECORATIVE DOOR PANELS
Iran, mid-20th century
The concave ovals with lobed borders, pierced with scrolling arabesques, one with a central roundel of a youth offering a wine cup to a sage in a landscape, the other with an image of a poet, turbaned and bearded, holding a rosary and with an open book on his lap, leaning against a cushion in the garden of Hafez's tomb in Shiraz, 57cm x 42cm.
Andre Godard (1881-1965), the French architect, archaeologist, historian, and director of the Iranian archaeological service 1928-1953 and 1956-1960, designed the tomb of the poet Hafez in the Mussalah Gardens of Shiraz in 1935. The present panels should be dated on that basis, as well as on revivalist tendencies of the mid-20th century.
£300-£400
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* A SMALL RECTANGULAR BOX
PROPERTY FROM AN IMPORTANT EUROPEAN PRIVATE COLLECTION
Isfahan, Iran, early 20th century
Of rectangular shape with sharp edges, the hinged lid and base engraved with polylobed medallions with figural decoration, the lid with an amorous couple drinking wine en plein air observed by a hare, the base with three storks, the rest of the space filled with minute and intricate vegetal scrolls with rosettes and birds, the sides finely engraved with six hemistichs of poetry within lobed cartouches, each one numbered to clarify the poetical sequence, the edges filled with more tendrils and flowers, unmarked, 87.6gr, 7cm x 5cm.
Inscription: Ghazal 428 by Hafez.
£300-£500
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TWO TURKMEN CHAPANS
Bukhara, Uzbekistan, 20th century
The winter chapan of brightly-coloured striped silk quilted with cotton wadding, lined in taupe cotton, 120cm long; and a light-weight one woven in blue and yellow broad stripes in gros-grain cotton-silk, the visible areas of lining with Russian dark blue printed floral cotton, 128cm long.
£120-£160
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A TURKMEN COAT AND THE TOP OF A CEREMONIAL HEADDRESS
Central Asia, 19th - 20th century
The horizontally-striped red silk applied with white metal buttons in regular rows, the forearm with pale green satin silk, the front and sleeve borders cross-stitched in coloured silks, the lining of printed cotton possibly Russian, 96cm long; and the headdress, a flat base metal disc heavily worked with filigree concentric bands, in-filled with red and blue beads, the crown with a pointed dome, 20cm diameter, 9cm high
£300-£500
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TWO TEKKE TRIBE TURKMEN COATS (CHAPAN)
Turkmenistan, early 20th century
Comprising a black silk chapan, with colorful chain stitched hand embroidered ethnic tribal design, open front, no closure, long full sleeves with red cuffs, the interior fully lined in a Russian printed floral cotton fabric, the lining to the edge in Central Asian polychrome silk ikat, 116cm x 61cm; and a similar one in green, 128cm x 58cm.
£180-£200
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AN UZBEK IKAT CHAPAN
Bukhara, Uzbekistan, late 19th - early 20th century
The silk single-ikat woven in bright natural dyes with a bold pattern of scrolls and sun-discs, edged with a silk band, croched with a stylised geometric pattern, lightly wadded and lined in Russian floral-printed cotton of spectrum red ground, 135cm long.
Provenance: Sotheby's Colonnade, 29 October 1993, lot 827.
£200-£220
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