This year marks the 40th anniversary of Britain’s World of Islam Festival, a series of exhibitions opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976. That same year, Sotheby’s auction house hosted London’s first ‘Islamic Week’, which has taken place in April and October every year since.
In celebration of these landmark events, Sotheby’s is staging its most wide-ranging series of exhibitions to cover the history of Middle Eastern art over the course of five auctions to held next week.
Some of the most beautiful pieces are the antique jewellery, to be auctioned in the Arts of the Islamic World sale. There is a gem-set gold and enamel necklace from 18th century Morocco, a Persian diamond brooch and a piece of an Ottoman headdress encrusted with rubies and diamonds. Two carved jade pendants are also going on sale as well as an ivory comb from Sri Lanka, which is truly a piece of history.
These pieces hold value due to their age and provenance but are also still highly desirable today because many contemporary jewellers still drawing on these designs and inspirations.
The five sales take place from April 19-21 in Sotheby’s London.
The Library of Mohamed and Margaret Makiya: 19 April, 10.30am
The Orientalist Sale: 19 April, 2.30pm
Arts of the Islamic World: 20 April, 10.30am
20th Century Art / Middle East: 20 April, 3.00pm
Alchemy: Objects of Desire: 21 April, 2.00pm
[ www.sothebys.com ]
aseaman@thenational.ae
