Islamic Works of Art

Arts of the Islamic world cover artefacts from countries in North Africa, Turkey, the Middle East and the Indian sub-Continent.

These works take a variety of forms. They include manuscripts with fine calligraphy; early medieval pottery such as Kashan ware, colourful glazed Isnik pieces or decorative tiles from Safavid dynasty in Iran; metalwares like bronzes from Mamluk Egypt or Timurid Persia; astrolabes which pre-date most of their Western counterparts; and early Silk Road textiles such as Sogdian weavings.


Iznik tile

Magnificent Iznik tile takes £195,000 price at auction

16 June 2025

A rare Iznik pottery tile made for the Çini li Hamam bathhouse during the reign of Suleyman the Magnificent sold for £195,000 at Lyon & Turnbull.

Timurid manuscript folio

Unique Timurid manuscript folio estimated £2m-3m at Christie’s

16 April 2025

A folio from a rare 15th century Timurid manuscript will be offered at Christie’s in London on May 1.

Harivamsa folio

Asia Week New York celebrates its 16th birthday

19 February 2025

Asia Week New York (AWNY) takes place from March 13–21 and is a celebration of Asian art featuring exhibitions, auctions and special events focused on Chinese, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art.

Mamluk mosque lamp

Bonhams sets new auction record for any glass object

13 November 2024

A 14th-century mosque lamp from Egypt or Syria achieved the highest price for a glass object at auction when it sold at four times estimate at Bonhams in London yesterday.

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Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean art auction previews

28 October 2024

A selection of lots from upcoming auctions held at the same time as Asian Art in London

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Better together: Major auction houses open doors for dealer exhibitions as part of Asian Art in London

28 October 2024

Auction houses and dealers have launched a partnership for this year’s Asian Art in London event allowing exhibitions to be held in salerooms at the three major firms for the first time.

ATG Lawyer Writes V3 JPG

A lawyer writes: Tale of a tile tussle sparked by ownership rights

02 September 2024

Islamic artefact about to appear at auction was once part of V&A collection

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Iznik at the double thanks to two private collections at Olympia Auctions

08 July 2024

The sale of Indian and Islamic art at Olympia Auctions (25% buyer’s premium) in London on June 5 included two fine private collections of Iznik pottery.

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Archer family provenance points the way to debut sale success

08 July 2024

Father and son collection stars as centrepiece of 150-lot inaugural Islamic and Indian art offering

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New saleroom Azca launches in west London with Indian and Islamic selection

10 June 2024

London has a new boutique auction house with the launch this month of Azca Auctions in Hammersmith, west London.

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Five questions with Mehmet Keskiner of Kent Antiques

15 January 2024

Mehmet Keskiner is the founder of Kent Antiques specialising in Islamic and Indian works of art as well as 19th century Orientalist paintings. Keskiner runs Kent Antiques from a gallery in Queen’s Gate by appointment only with his brother Dr Philip Bora Keskiner and his wife Melis Aran Keskiner.

Quran

Beautiful Quran bought for nearly £300,000 at Swiss auction

08 January 2024

The extensive auctions at Schuler (23/20/16% buyer’s premium) in Zürich always contain at least one truly spectacular result and the latest three-day sale was no exception.

Yomut Asmalyk carpet

Carpets galore in a German saleroom

08 January 2024

A German collector consigned 28 carpets for the November 25 sale at Rippon Boswell (25% buyer’s premium) in Wiesbaden.

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The highlights of Herat and Cairo, renowned workshops

04 December 2023

Sixth instalment of single-owner collection on offer in west London features wonderful workshops

Safavid Islamic Mecca-centred world map

The map where Mecca is centre of attention

30 October 2023

A rare Islamic Mecca-centred world map, considered a masterpiece from Safavid Persia, will star in the Islamic and Indian Art sale at Bonhams.

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‘Umbrella’ sales cover wide range of Islamic and Indian items

19 June 2023

Artefacts hailing from a vast geographical area come together in west London saleroom

Tipu Sultan’s bedchamber sword

Auction record for Tipu Sultan’s sword

29 May 2023

A sword taken from the Indian Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan when he was defeated and killed during the fourth Anglo-Mysore War was hammered down at £12m.

Bedchamber sword of Tipu Sultan

Auction record for both Indian and Islamic object smashed by Tipu Sultan’s bedchamber sword

25 May 2023

A sword taken from the Indian Muslim ruler Tipu Sultan when he was defeated and killed during the fourth Anglo-Mysore War was hammered down at £12m.

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Islamic brass bowl 'found to be 14th century'

06 March 2023

Estimated at a mere £20-40, this Islamic brass bowl on a later associated stand sold for £11,000 at Taylors (25% buyer’s premium) in Montrose.

Ilkhanid or Mamluk Brass Bowl

Islamic brass bowl ‘sleeper’ stars in our pick of five auction highlights

10 February 2023

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a possible 14th century Islamic brass bowl that made over 250-times estimate in Montrose.

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