Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Rugs and Carpets

Following the success of our October auctions, Christie’s is delighted to present The Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, including Rugs and Carpets, on 30 April. The sale brings together an exceptional range of material — from manuscripts and paintings to works of art — dating from the 8th to the 20th century and spanning regions from Spain to India.

The auction is led by an outstanding Mamluk enamelled and gilded glass footed bowl, one of five works recently deaccessioned from the Toledo Museum of Art in Ohio.

Another major highlight is an important group of arms and armour from the Collection of Howard Ricketts. Demonstrating the creativity and technical mastery of armourers from Mamluk Egypt to Mughal India, this group formed the core of landmark exhibitions in Paris (1988), Riyadh (1991) and Kuala Lumpur (1994).

The sale also includes a selection of princely jewelled objects from India, presented alongside impressive Mughal and Company School paintings.

More than eighty exceptional rugs and carpets will be offered, illustrating the breadth of weaving traditions from Persia and the Caucasus to Anatolia and Central Asia. The auction unites tribal and village weavings with the finest examples of courtly craftsmanship, led by the magnificent Toledo Mughal Indian Flower and Lattice carpet. The Holms Hepburn Coronation carpet — an outstanding example of Safavid weaving — holds particular significance for its use in the coronations of King Edward VII and King George V.

With works suited to discerning collectors, interior designers and decorators, the sale celebrates exceptional craftsmanship, rich colour and texture — from runners and rugs to monumental room-sized carpets.