From the Mughal treasury
Sotheby's upcoming sale of Islamic art features rare and precious artefacts from the Mughal era. Weekend checks them out
 "From the Mughal treasury")
From an early 19th century silver pandan to an 18th century gilt-metal ankus, Sotheby's upcoming auction, to be held on April 9 in London, features 28 lots pertaining to India, some believed to have been commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The selection includes luminous paintings, manuscripts and ceramics. Spanning over 1,000 years, this sale is a testimony to the remarkable range of art that was produced in lands under Islamic patronage from Spain to China.
A SILVER ONION-FORM SPICE BOX (PANDAN), INDIA, EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Comprising three hinged sections, the base contains six heart-shaped compartments around a central lime paste container with a gilt floral knob. The middle section features a dome-shaped top leading to a pointed lid, decorated with leaves terminating in a detachable finial with integral lime spoon. The artefact is accompanied by a letter from daughter of the original owner, Mary Cunliffe, dated July 4, 1938
ESTIMATE: £15,000-18,000
AN IMPERIAL OTTOMAN ARCHER'S RING (ZIHGIR), INDIA AND TURKEY, 16TH CENTURY
The pale grey jade, typical of that era, with emeralds and diamonds set into gold mounts on the jade 4.7cm. length.
ESTIMATE: £30,000-40,000
FIVE MUGHAL JADE STEM CUPS, INDIA, 18TH CENTURY
Made from carved jade, each of the cups has colourful gemstones, including rubies, emeralds and diamonds set in the kundan technique with floral motifs
ESTIMATE: £30,000 -40,000
A GILT-METAL ANKUS IN THE FORM OF AN IBEX AND TIGER, INDIA, MUGHAL, 18TH CENTURY
The steel crescent-shaped blade starts with a tiger's head and ends with the head of an ibex in this fine damascened decoration. The gilt handle bears a pierced and incised floral design.
ESTIMATE: £30,000-40,000
A MUGHAL GEM-SET ROCK CRYSTAL CUP, INDIA, CIRCA 18TH CENTURY
The rock crystal carved in the form of a cup, set with gold floral tendrils, is highlighted with rubies, emerald and diamonds. It comes in a custom velvet box 11.3cm. height. 8.5cm. diam.
PRICE ESTIMATE: £30,000- 50,000
Comprising three hinged sections, the base contains six heart-shaped compartments around a central lime paste container with a gilt floral knob. The middle section features a dome-shaped top leading to a pointed lid, decorated with leaves terminating in a detachable finial with integral lime spoon. The artefact is accompanied by a letter from daughter of the original owner, Mary Cunliffe, dated July 4, 1938
ESTIMATE: £15,000-18,000
AN IMPERIAL OTTOMAN ARCHER'S RING (ZIHGIR), INDIA AND TURKEY, 16TH CENTURY
The pale grey jade, typical of that era, with emeralds and diamonds set into gold mounts on the jade 4.7cm. length.
ESTIMATE: £30,000-40,000
FIVE MUGHAL JADE STEM CUPS, INDIA, 18TH CENTURY
Made from carved jade, each of the cups has colourful gemstones, including rubies, emeralds and diamonds set in the kundan technique with floral motifs
ESTIMATE: £30,000 -40,000
A GILT-METAL ANKUS IN THE FORM OF AN IBEX AND TIGER, INDIA, MUGHAL, 18TH CENTURY
The steel crescent-shaped blade starts with a tiger's head and ends with the head of an ibex in this fine damascened decoration. The gilt handle bears a pierced and incised floral design.
ESTIMATE: £30,000-40,000
A MUGHAL GEM-SET ROCK CRYSTAL CUP, INDIA, CIRCA 18TH CENTURY
The rock crystal carved in the form of a cup, set with gold floral tendrils, is highlighted with rubies, emerald and diamonds. It comes in a custom velvet box 11.3cm. height. 8.5cm. diam.
PRICE ESTIMATE: £30,000- 50,000