20th Jun, 2024 11:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
30
A GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID (KOFTGARI) STEEL EWER WITH EAGLES
Possibly Sialkot, Punjab, or Gujarat, Northern India, 17th - 18th century
A GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID (KOFTGARI) STEEL EWER WITH EAGLES
AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON
Possibly Sialkot, Punjab, or Gujarat, Northern India, 17th - 18th century
Of compressed pyriform shape, resting on a short, splayed, circular foot, rising to a globular body and tall, flared neck surmounted by a hemispherical, dome-like lid with a budding lotus as finial, on the sides an upward-curved lotus spout and a stylised sinuous dragon handle, the exterior profusely decorated with the typical koftgari (damascening) technique in silver and gold displaying overlapping horizontal decorative bands featuring lavish vegetal meanderings and floral sprays, often contained within lobed arches or roundels, on the neck wing-spread eagles alternating oval medallions in-filled with stylised floral bouquets, each band separated by thin geometric fretwork friezes, 25.3cm high.
Provenance: Bonhams New Bond Street, London, 28 April 2005, lot 592.
This lot showcases a rather original and unique blend of foreign and autochthonous traditions: its shape is reminiscent of 15th and 16th-century Timurid jugs; the decoration in koftgari technique was originally from Iran, but the vibrancy and variety of its content can be unequivocally ascribed to Indian craftsmen' genius.
The koftgari decor on the neck is particularly fine and rather uncommon in terms of North Indian vessels' decorative repertoire. The standing eagles with widely spread wings are presented in a style echoing European heraldic blazons and coats of arms. In Europe, the iconography of the heraldic eagle, used as a charger, supporter, and crest, was inspired by the Late Medieval tradition and rested on a dual symbolism: on one hand it was seen as a symbol of the Roman Empire; on the latter, according to Christian iconography, it represented St. John the Evangelist. Though particularly beloved in the German and Saxon provinces, the single-headed heraldic eagle featured on a number of Portuguese coats of arms as well, as evident in several 16th-century manuscripts including Livro da Nobreza e Perfeiçam das Armas (1521), where the Melo / Mello family crest features an analogous eagle to ours as their heraldic symbol.
It does not seem far-fetched to speculate that Indian koftgari steel creations caught the eyes of Western travellers and officials, so much so that they might have likely commissioned special vessels as mementos, requesting local craftsmen to incorporate alien designs and foreign symbols.
A GOLD AND SILVER-INLAID (KOFTGARI) STEEL EWER WITH EAGLES
AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON
Possibly Sialkot, Punjab, or Gujarat, Northern India, 17th - 18th century
Of compressed pyriform shape, resting on a short, splayed, circular foot, rising to a globular body and tall, flared neck surmounted by a hemispherical, dome-like lid with a budding lotus as finial, on the sides an upward-curved lotus spout and a stylised sinuous dragon handle, the exterior profusely decorated with the typical koftgari (damascening) technique in silver and gold displaying overlapping horizontal decorative bands featuring lavish vegetal meanderings and floral sprays, often contained within lobed arches or roundels, on the neck wing-spread eagles alternating oval medallions in-filled with stylised floral bouquets, each band separated by thin geometric fretwork friezes, 25.3cm high.
Provenance: Bonhams New Bond Street, London, 28 April 2005, lot 592.
This lot showcases a rather original and unique blend of foreign and autochthonous traditions: its shape is reminiscent of 15th and 16th-century Timurid jugs; the decoration in koftgari technique was originally from Iran, but the vibrancy and variety of its content can be unequivocally ascribed to Indian craftsmen' genius.
The koftgari decor on the neck is particularly fine and rather uncommon in terms of North Indian vessels' decorative repertoire. The standing eagles with widely spread wings are presented in a style echoing European heraldic blazons and coats of arms. In Europe, the iconography of the heraldic eagle, used as a charger, supporter, and crest, was inspired by the Late Medieval tradition and rested on a dual symbolism: on one hand it was seen as a symbol of the Roman Empire; on the latter, according to Christian iconography, it represented St. John the Evangelist. Though particularly beloved in the German and Saxon provinces, the single-headed heraldic eagle featured on a number of Portuguese coats of arms as well, as evident in several 16th-century manuscripts including Livro da Nobreza e Perfeiçam das Armas (1521), where the Melo / Mello family crest features an analogous eagle to ours as their heraldic symbol.
It does not seem far-fetched to speculate that Indian koftgari steel creations caught the eyes of Western travellers and officials, so much so that they might have likely commissioned special vessels as mementos, requesting local craftsmen to incorporate alien designs and foreign symbols.
Auction: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, 20th Jun, 2024
After much anticipation, Azca Auctions is delighted to announce their inaugural sale, Arts of India and the Islamic Lands, taking place on Thursday 20th June at 11.00am BST.
The sale comprises over 250 lots showcasing the extraordinary diversity and celebrating the artistic craftsmanship of South, Southeast and Central Asia, as well as the Iranian plateau, the Middle East all the way to the Mediterranean shores.
This longed-for, inaugural auction opens with a remarkable Northern London private collection of Indian artefacts, previously unseen in the market. “An Eye for Detail” is meant to illustrate not only the artistic achievements and talents of Indian craftsmen, but also the multi-faceted cultural and religious reality the Indian Subcontinent managed to foster and keep alive throughout centuries. Three generations of collecting collide into a very personal, subjective and unusual selections of tools, vessels, paintings, accessories, photographs and decorative lots that range from £150 to £6,000 GBP, offering a chance to both seasoned buyers and new collectors to make their pick.
Following the private collection selection, the remaining 150 lots are divided between the Arts of South Asia and the Arts of the Islamic Lands, two worlds that, despite their substantial geographic distances, have always been tightly interlinked. Among the highlights, one can count a selection of eight official courtly album portraits of Mughal Emperors (lot 164); a large Qajar polychrome-painted moulded pottery tile with a banquet scene replicating the Safavid frescoes of the Chihil Sotun Palace in Isfahan (lot 206); and lastly, an elegant and intact 16th-century Ottoman Iznik plate with saz leaves and arabesques (lot 262).
Dive into a world of wonders and for any specific query, please do not hesitate to contact our Head of Department, Beatrice Campi at beatrice@azcaauctions.com. We look forward to hearing from you.
Viewing
Viewing will take place at the following address:
Metro Building, 8th Floor
1 Butterwick
London, W6 8DL
