Art021 and West Bund fairs, plus a biennial and a slew of gallery shows, were not dampened by the slowed economy and a precarious art market
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Art021 and West Bund fairs, plus a biennial and a slew of gallery shows, were not dampened by the slowed economy and a precarious art market
His speech was delivered at the annual dinner, held provocatively in the gallery where the ancient sculptures are housed
A magnificent and extremely rare Islamic Mecca-centred world map, a masterpiece from Safavid Persia, sold for £1.86 million at Bonhams Islamic and Indian Art Sale today (Tuesday 14 November). It had an estimate of £1,500,000-2,000,000. The map, formerly on display at the Harvard Museum of Art, and dating from the last quarter of the 17th century, is the finest and most complete Mecca-centred world map of only three surviving examples (the other two were discovered in 1989 and 1995) and is the most important Islamic scientific instrument ever offered at auction.
Nima Sagharchi, Bonhams Group Head of Middle Eastern, Islamic and South Asian Art commented, “Steeped in historical, scientific, and religious significance, this rare and captivating 17th century Islamic world map, crafted in Safavid Persia, stands as testament to the grandeur and precision of Islamic art and science. We are absolutely delighted with this result.”
“The most important Islamic scientific instrument ever offered at auction”
The discovery of these maps proved a real turning point in the academic understanding of Islamic cartography. Recognized by the historian and author, Dr David King as the only surviving examples of Islamic world maps with localities properly marked on a coordinate grid, the maps revolutionized our understanding of Islamic cartographers and the scientific sophistication of their instruments. King notes, “These instruments are of a kind previously unknown to the history of science.”
King continues, “As maps, their most remarkable characteristic is the complex nature of the mathematics underlying the cartography. As artefacts, their importance lies in their being the sole known examples of a medieval cartographic tradition of outstanding sophistication.”
At its heart, the map’s intent is simple, to guide the beholder to Mecca, yet its historical significance radiates far beyond its use. The map positions Mecca not only as its geographical centre, but in a wider sense, it is representative of a time when the Middle East was itself the intellectual, artistic, and scientific focal point of the world.
Believed to have originated from Isfahan, a city renowned for its masterful metal craftsmanship, the world map is both signed and inscribed with the name of its maker and patron. The artisan behind this masterpiece, identified only as “Husayn” would have belonged to the top echelons of instrument creators for this period. The equally elusive “Sayf Al-Dawleh”, is identified as the patron, an honorific broadly used throughout the Islamic World, meaning “Protector of the Realm”. This title would have been bestowed on a Safavid courtier, nobleman or public official. The world map was on loan to the Harvard Museum for more than 15 years. More recently it has been exhibited at the Nelson Atkins Museum in Kansas. The map has also featured in numerous prestigious exhibitions and publications including a retrospective of Islamic Metalwork at the Harvard Museum in 2002, and a major exhibition of Saudi archaeology organized by the Saudi Commission for Tourism and the Smithsonian Institution.
“These instruments are of a kind previously unknown to the history of science.”
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, collectors’ cars and a luxury division, which includes jewellery, designer fashion, watches, wine, and whisky. In 2021 and 2022, Bonhams made a number of important acquisitions which form the wider Bonhams network. These include: Bukowskis, Bruun Rasmussen, Bonhams Skinner and Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr. Top lots for 2022 included a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (Sold for US$4,185,000), a pair of blue and white octagonal candlesticks (Sold for HK$30,453,00/ US$3,911,913), La femme en rouge au fond bleu by Chaïm Soutine (Sold for £1,842,300/ US$2,236,940), and a rare emerald and diamond Cartier bracelet (Sold for US$3,240,375).
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Story submitted by Bonhams. The World Art News (WAN) is not liable for the content of this publication. All statements and views expressed herein are opinions only. Act at your own risk. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. © The World Art News
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Both sales persevered through a lukewarm atmosphere to break into the lower reaches of their estimate ranges
A selection of 15 exceptional ceramics by Hans Coper, Lucie Rie, Jennifer Lee, Ewen Henderson, Colin Pearson, Duncan Ross and Walter Keeler from a private French collection will be offered at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Paris on Wednesday 6 December 2023.
Hans Coper (1920-1981) was a leading figure in the field of studio pottery — the production of unique ceramic wares made by individual artist-potters in small batches. Together with Lucie Rie (1902-1995), he was instrumental in revolutionising British ceramics, adopting a style which was increasingly sculptural.
Claire Gallois, Bonhams’ Director of 20th Century Design in Paris said: “Coper and Rie are ones of the greatest names of 20th century British ceramics. This collection reveals true masterpieces which should appeal to international collectors.”
With their scoured surfaces and neutral tones, Coper’s work is reminiscent of ancient vessels, and especially ancient Cycladic art (about 3500-1050 BC). The artist likes to translate ancient forms into abstract sculpture as in this Spade form, made circa 1972 of stoneware, layered porcelain slips and engobes over a textured and incised body (estimate: €60,000 – 80,000) or in a Cycladic form circa 1967 measuring 25 cm high (estimate: €60,000 – 80,000).
Some are formed of a single shape, while others are assembled from multiple elements. Discs feature in several of his designs, including Thistle form, 1965 in which footed cups are balanced by a central disc between the body and the base estimated at € 30,000-50,000.
Lucie Rie (1902-1995) was a ceramist with immense technical knowledge and an inventive, experimental approach. She established herself in Britain in 1938, becoming renowned for her distinctive tableware and one-off pieces. She developed a range of innovative glazes, showcased in works such as a porcelain Footed bowl executed circa 1980 which features inlaid pink radiating lines, turquoise and manganese bands and carries an estimate of € 40,000-60,000. Another highlight is her cylindrical vase with flaring lip, circa 1978, made of porcelain, manganese and dry terracotta glazes which has an estimate of €20,000 to 30,000.
Jennifer Lee (born 1956) is known for her innovative style, mixing metallic oxides into the clay before firing to colour them. Celebrated for her hand-built pottery, herwork is represented in major public collections worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. A 2006 pale and speckled rim vessel made of stoneware and oxides is estimated at €10,000-15,000.
Other highlights of the 15-lot collection include:
- Vessel with twisted handles, 2001 by Colin Pearson. Estimate: € 2,000-3,000.
- Two 1980 pieces by Ewen Henderson: Vessel forms, one with an estimate of € 2,000-3,000 and the other with an estimate of € 3,000-5,000.
- Bowl by Duncan Ross, 2002. Estimate: € 1,000-1,500.
Bonhams currently holds the world auction record for a work by Hans Coper, with a tall bottle vase with disc sold in London on 4 October 2022 for £655,500.
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, collectors’ cars and a luxury division, which includes jewellery, designer fashion, watches, wine, and whisky. In 2021 and 2022, Bonhams made a number of important acquisitions which form the wider Bonhams network. These include: Bukowskis, Bruun Rasmussen, Bonhams Skinner and Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr.
Top lots for 2022 included a 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder (Sold for US$4,185,000), a pair of blue and white octagonal candlesticks (Sold for HK$30,453,00/ US$3,911,913), La femme en rouge au fond bleu by Chaïm Soutine (Sold for £1,842,300/ US$2,236,940), and a rare emerald and diamond Cartier bracelet (Sold for US$3,240,375).
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Story submitted by Bonhams. The World Art News (WAN) is not liable for the content of this publication. All statements and views expressed herein are opinions only. Act at your own risk. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission. © The World Art News