SAFAVID IRAN, CIRCA 1700

Details

TWO SILK DAMASK TOMB COVER FRAGMENTS
SAFAVID IRAN, CIRCA 1700
Each fragment woven with cartouches with inscriptions in thuluth, the first fragment green on a cream ground, the second black on a red ground
Largest 17 ¾ x 8in. (45 x 20.5cm.)

Engraved

Qur'an, XLVIII, sura al-fath, v.1

Further details

Some countries prohibit or restrict the purchase and/or import of Iranian-origin property. Bidders must familiarise themselves with any laws or shipping restrictions that apply to them before bidding on these lots. For example, the USA prohibits dealings in and import of Iranian-origin “works of conventional craftsmanship” (such as carpets, textiles, decorative objects, and scientific instruments) without an appropriate licence. Christie’s has a general OFAC licence which, subject to compliance with certain conditions, would enable a buyer to import this type of lot into the USA. If you intend to use Christie’s licence, please contact us for further information before you bid.

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

These two fragments exemplify the damask technique whereby the calligraphic designs are mirrored on the reverse resulting in the muthanna (mirror-image) style of calligraphy (Anthony Welch, Calligraphy in the Arts of the Muslim World, New York, 1979, p. 154).

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