20th Jun, 2024 11:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
96
A FINE GOLD-DAMASCENED (KOFTGARI) STEEL WARRIOR SET WITH A BODY ARMOUR PLATE AND ARMGUARDS
Possibly Lahore, Mughal India, late 18th - early 19th century
A FINE GOLD-DAMASCENED (KOFTGARI) STEEL WARRIOR SET WITH A BODY ARMOUR PLATE AND ARMGUARDS
AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON
Possibly Lahore, Mughal India, late 18th - early 19th century
Comprising a rectangular forged steel breastplate, the central field with a raised arabesque medallion with stylised foliage spraying further to half medallions on the four sides and each corner, the borders enhanced with gold koftgari decorative bands featuring scrolling lotus flowers, lush serrated leaves, and dense vegetal meanderings, towards the centre a narrow fretwork band with cross in-filled squares, with six buckle fittings in the form of cusped palmettes, 29cm x 22.5cm; and a pair of matching steel armguards with silver mounts around the edges, separated in two hinged section, decorated with analogous raised arabesque medallions on the front and back, as well as dense koftgari floral vines around the edges, each with four buckle fittings in the form of cusped palmettes, each 32.5cm x 10.5cm.
Provenance: Bonhams New Bond Street, London, 13 October 2005, lot 456.
The variety and vibrancy of the koftgari floral meanderings on the borders of this armour set show clear analogies with another steel cuirass side plate (chahar aina) part of the V&A Museum Collection (acc. no. 3184(IS)) and attributed to 19th-century Gwalior. That said, this forged steel plate does not present any raised decoration, unlike the present example. This is instead visible in the form of a vegetal grid on a pair of Mughal dastana (armguards), in the same Museum collection (acc. no. 794&A-1869), attributed to 19th-century Lahore. This attribution seems well fitting for our set too, given the city's renowned reputation for high-quality metal productions, both in the Mughal period and throughout the 19th century, featuring a typical Persian influence in their decorative repertoire.
A FINE GOLD-DAMASCENED (KOFTGARI) STEEL WARRIOR SET WITH A BODY ARMOUR PLATE AND ARMGUARDS
AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON
Possibly Lahore, Mughal India, late 18th - early 19th century
Comprising a rectangular forged steel breastplate, the central field with a raised arabesque medallion with stylised foliage spraying further to half medallions on the four sides and each corner, the borders enhanced with gold koftgari decorative bands featuring scrolling lotus flowers, lush serrated leaves, and dense vegetal meanderings, towards the centre a narrow fretwork band with cross in-filled squares, with six buckle fittings in the form of cusped palmettes, 29cm x 22.5cm; and a pair of matching steel armguards with silver mounts around the edges, separated in two hinged section, decorated with analogous raised arabesque medallions on the front and back, as well as dense koftgari floral vines around the edges, each with four buckle fittings in the form of cusped palmettes, each 32.5cm x 10.5cm.
Provenance: Bonhams New Bond Street, London, 13 October 2005, lot 456.
The variety and vibrancy of the koftgari floral meanderings on the borders of this armour set show clear analogies with another steel cuirass side plate (chahar aina) part of the V&A Museum Collection (acc. no. 3184(IS)) and attributed to 19th-century Gwalior. That said, this forged steel plate does not present any raised decoration, unlike the present example. This is instead visible in the form of a vegetal grid on a pair of Mughal dastana (armguards), in the same Museum collection (acc. no. 794&A-1869), attributed to 19th-century Lahore. This attribution seems well fitting for our set too, given the city's renowned reputation for high-quality metal productions, both in the Mughal period and throughout the 19th century, featuring a typical Persian influence in their decorative repertoire.
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
