20th Jun, 2024 11:00
Arts of India and the Islamic Lands
97
THREE MUGHAL ENGRAVED STEEL TORADAR (MATCHLOCK GUN) STEEL BARRELS
Possibly Lahore or Punjab, Northern India, 18th century
THREE MUGHAL ENGRAVED STEEL TORADAR (MATCHLOCK GUN) STEEL BARRELS
AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON
Possibly Lahore or Punjab, Northern India, 18th century
Each of typical tapering cylindrical shape, with a wider, rounded breech and a gently fluted, everted muzzle, each steel barrel profusely engraved and chiselled with a variety of vegetal, floral, and animal motifs, comprising one with dense animal menagerie, featuring several horizontal bands in-filled with peacocks, lions, tigers, and animals of preys, on the muzzle a small rectangular cartouche inscribed in undeciphered pseudo-Arabic characters, possibly a form of free-hand Urdu or local dialect, the breech incised in correspondence of a large eagle with three lines of Devanagari script reading 'Raj Samadhi Pur Samadh...' and the serial number 608, 130cm long; another barrel engraved with interlocking rosette trellis, buti leaves (paisley), and vegetal arabesques, 126cm long; and the last one with tall cypress trees and rosette roundels alternating bands of foliage and palmette leaves, 116cm long.
For an analogous steel toradar barrel engraved with animal and floral motifs reminiscent of the ones encountered on the surfaces of the present lot, please see the Royal Collection Trust (RCIN 38421). This matchlock gun, currently exhibited in the ballroom of Sandringham House, is attributed to Mughal 18th-century Lahore, and it was presented to King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76. Appreciated for their intricate decorations and exotic designs, Mughal steel barrels, often unmounted and deprived of their wooden stocks, became prized possessions in 19th-century Europe, forming a relevant category in the collections of arms lovers.
Sold for £1,722
THREE MUGHAL ENGRAVED STEEL TORADAR (MATCHLOCK GUN) STEEL BARRELS
AN EYE FOR DETAIL: PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ESTATE IN NORTHERN LONDON
Possibly Lahore or Punjab, Northern India, 18th century
Each of typical tapering cylindrical shape, with a wider, rounded breech and a gently fluted, everted muzzle, each steel barrel profusely engraved and chiselled with a variety of vegetal, floral, and animal motifs, comprising one with dense animal menagerie, featuring several horizontal bands in-filled with peacocks, lions, tigers, and animals of preys, on the muzzle a small rectangular cartouche inscribed in undeciphered pseudo-Arabic characters, possibly a form of free-hand Urdu or local dialect, the breech incised in correspondence of a large eagle with three lines of Devanagari script reading 'Raj Samadhi Pur Samadh...' and the serial number 608, 130cm long; another barrel engraved with interlocking rosette trellis, buti leaves (paisley), and vegetal arabesques, 126cm long; and the last one with tall cypress trees and rosette roundels alternating bands of foliage and palmette leaves, 116cm long.
For an analogous steel toradar barrel engraved with animal and floral motifs reminiscent of the ones encountered on the surfaces of the present lot, please see the Royal Collection Trust (RCIN 38421). This matchlock gun, currently exhibited in the ballroom of Sandringham House, is attributed to Mughal 18th-century Lahore, and it was presented to King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales, during his tour of India in 1875-76. Appreciated for their intricate decorations and exotic designs, Mughal steel barrels, often unmounted and deprived of their wooden stocks, became prized possessions in 19th-century Europe, forming a relevant category in the collections of arms lovers.
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
