For Immediate Release Wednesday 14 March 2012 Contact: Dernagh OLeary +44 207 389 2398 doleary@christies.

com

ART FROM THE ISLAMIC & INDIAN WORLDS

TO BENEFIT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

DONATED FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION

London - Christies is pleased to announce the auction of A Private Collection donated to benefit the University of Oxford on Thursday 26 April. The full sale proceeds will benefit the University of Oxford and the Bodleian Libraries, where they will be used to fund a chair in Sasanian studies. The collection comprises approximately 50 lots consisting of works of art on paper from the Islamic and Indian worlds - calligraphic works, Qurans and Indian miniatures - and is expected to raise in the region of 2 million. This is a great opportunity for collectors to acquire extraordinary works and contribute to this philanthropic endeavor, supporting the world-renowned University of Oxford. William Robinson, Director of the Islamic Art Department, Christies comments: We are thrilled to have been entrusted to realise the charitable aim of this generous collector. Christies Department of Islamic Art is proud to support academic excellence and development of studies in this field. This is a hugely impressive group of works of art which includes a number of world-class masterpieces, notably the extraordinary Yaqut manuscript, and many are types that rarely come onto the market. This is an outstanding opportunity for people to end up with wonderful works of art on their walls and at the same time support this hugely important cause. Richard Ovendon, Deputy Director, Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford, comments: The sale of this collection will have a transformative effect on the study of the arts of the book in Oxford, allowing a new generation to appreciate the riches of the Bodleians historic collections of Persian manuscripts and calligraphy. The funds

generated by the sale will not only support academic teaching and research at Oxford, but will enable scholars and students from all over the world to benefit from the curatorial support of the Bodleian that the donors generosity will enable. Thanks to this benefaction, Oxford will create a new academic position in Sasanian Studies. This will be the only post in the United Kingdom in this important period in Irans history and culture, and its creation will allow Oxford to train future generations of scholar in this hitherto neglected field. The works on paper span a millennium dating from the 9th century to the 19th century. The leading highlight is a rare and important Mufradat manuscript, copied by the master calligrapher Yaqut alMustasimi and estimated at 800,000 to 1.2 million (illustrated page 1left). A Mufradat is an unusual work where a calligrapher demonstrates the perfect formation of each letter. Yaqut al-Mustasimi is the leading figure of the 13th century Baghdad school and considered to be the most influential Islamic calligrapher. Other important examples of calligraphy include a Quran written entirely in gold from 16th century Safavid Herat or Bukhara (estimate: 200,000-300,000) and a blue Quran folio from 9th century Kairouan (estimate: 150,000-250,000). The Indian miniature section is led by an illustration from Zafarnama, a history of the post-Mongol conqueror Timur, showing the emperor enthroned (estimate: 30,000-50,000) and a victorious allegorical portrait of the emperor Jahangir dating from the 17th century (estimate: 60,000-80,000 - illustrated page 1right).
NOTES TO EDITORS: Auction: A Private Collection donated to benefit the University of Oxford - Thursday, 26 April 2012 10.30am Christies, 8 King Street, SW1Y 6QT London Viewing days:
Friday 20 April - 9am-4.30pm Sunday 22 April - 2pm-5pm Monday 23 April - 9am-4.30pm Tuesday 24 April - 9am-8pm Wednesday 25 April - 9am-4.30pm

About Christies

Christies, the world's leading art business, had global auction and private sales in 2011 that totaled 3.6 billion/$5.7 billion. Christies is a name and place that speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour. Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's has since conducted the greatest and most celebrated auctions through the centuries providing a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful. Christies offers over 450 auctions annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to over $100 million. Christie's also has a long and successful history conducting private sales for its clients in all categories, with emphasis on Post-War and Contemporary, Impressionist and Modern, Old Masters and Jewellery. Private sales totaled 502 million / $808.6m in 2011, an increase of 44% on the previous year. Christies has a global presence with 53 offices in 32 countries and 10 salerooms around the world including in London, New York, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Dubai, Zrich, and Hong Kong. More recently, Christies has led the market with expanded initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai. *Estimates do not include buyers premium. Sales totals are hammer price plus buyers premium and do not reflect costs, financing fees or application of buyers or sellers credits.

About the Bodleian Libraries

The Bodleian Libraries of the University of Oxford form the largest university library system in the United Kingdom. They include the principal University librarythe Bodleian Librarywhich has been a library of legal deposit for 400 years; major research libraries; and libraries attached to faculties, departments and other institutions of the University. The combined library collections number more than 11 million printed items, in addition to 30,000 e-journals and vast quantities of materials in other formats. For additional information see www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

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For Immediate Release Wednesday 14 March Contact: Dernagh OLeary +44 207 389 2398 doleary@christies.com

ISLAMIC & INDIAN TREASURES

ON SALE AT CHRISTIES IN APRIL

Islamic & Indian Manuscripts & Works on Paper - Monday, 23 April 2012 Oriental Rugs & Carpets - Tuesday, 24 April 2012 A Private Collection donated to benefit the University of Oxford - Thursday, 26 April 2012 Art of the Islamic & Indian Worlds - Thursday, 26 April 2012 Indian & Islamic Works of Art & Textiles - Friday 27 April 2012

London Christies introduce a rich offering for Islamic Art Week in April 2012, with five exceptional sales in the King Street and South Kensington salerooms. 2011 saw strong results for the category, particularly for rare pieces of Indian and Turkish origin, illustrating the continuing demand across this market for works of art from the Islamic and Indian worlds. The sale of Art of the Islamic & Indian Worlds on 26 April celebrates the exquisite craftsmanship of works of art produced since the 9th century with a particular focus on later Islamic art. The sale comprises 300 lots expected to realise a total in the region of 7 million. On the same day, A Private Collection donated to benefit the University of Oxford presents works of art on paper that will be offered for sale with all proceeds donated to Oxford University (please see full press release here). With other dedicated sales for oriental carpets, works on paper and works of art and textiles, this week will offer an extraordinary opportunity for buyers to build a collection or decorate a house.

 OTTOMAN TURKISH ART

The sale of Art of the Islamic & Indian Worlds includes a strong array of Ottoman Turkish works of art, including over 20 pieces of Iznik pottery. The most exceptional lot is an impressive large Iznik pottery dish, circa 1585-90, estimated at 80,000 to 120,000 (illustrated above centre) which combines floral and arabesque motifs in vivid colours. It was bought at Christies in 1905 from the collection of Louis Huth and has passed by descent to the present owner, it is now offered for the first time in over a century. Other highlights are six Iznik pieces from the late Heinz Kuckei of Berlin (estimates range from 1,000 to 50,000), a dish from the collection of Monique Uzielli (estimate: 40,000-60,000) and a rare Iznik Baluster vase with a unique Chinese shape and design originating from 1550 (estimate: 50,00070,000). Other Turkish highlights include a number of Qurans and calligraphy, such as a Quran from Ottoman Turkey, signed Muhammad Al-Wasfi, dated AH 1245/1829-30 AD (estimate: 7,00010,000 illustrated right).

INDIAN ART
Indian art is strongly represented in the sale, notably with a superb Mughal section which includes an exceptional jade-hilted dagger with the original blade. Decorated with gold inlay and encrusted with emeralds and rubies, it originates from early 17th century central or northern India (estimate: 100,000150,000 illustrated page 1right). A gemset rock crystal bottle is another Mughal treasure from the 17th century, decorated with gold and gemstones (estimate: 100,000-150,000 illustrated page 1left). Other Indian objects include a gun from 1832 given by Ranjit Singh, the Lion of the Punjab (estimate: 20,000-30,000) and a 19th century Sikh battle flag (estimate: 15,000-25,000). The Indian miniature section is led by a rediscovered folio of great beauty from the St Petersburg Muraqqa, which is amongst the most spectacular albums of miniatures known. Ladies by a river, dating from circa 1680, is estimated 30,000-50,000. The miniature depicts ladies bathing in a river with detailed Rheinland landscape of a forest, a castle and a dramatic sky. A calligraphy from the same Muraqqa is priced at 8,000-12,000.

 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

A great array of other works of art spanning a wide range of geographical areas, materials and time are included in the sale. A leading highlight is an important and rare enameled and gilt glass bottle from 13th century Syria decorated with unique bilingual Arabic and Byzantine Greek inscriptions and applied small animal shapes (600,000-800,000, illustrated above right). The metalwork section is led by a large Mamluk basin made of shiny brass for the last important Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, Qansuh al-Ghuri, in the early 16th century (estimate: 40,000-60,000 illustrated above left). Contemporaneous with this are two silver inlaid vessels that clearly demonstrate the trade links between Syria and Europe; one even bears an Italian coat of arms (estimates: 15,000-25,000 and 7,000-10,000). Highlights from Iran include a remarkable group of evocative and brightly th coloured 19 century paintings; consisting of a magnificent and impressively detailed portrait of Nasir alDin Shah Qajar by Muhammad Hassan Afshar (estimate: 70,000 -100,000 illustrated left), An equestrian portrait of Sepahsalar by Isma'il Jalayir (estimate: 60,00080,000) and A court musician playing the kemanche, School of Abu'l Qasim (estimate: 70,000-100,000). Another fascinating Iranian object is a rare and large fragment of carved grey stone schist roundel, illustrating combating animals, from 15th century Timurid Iran (estimate: 200,000-300,000 illustrated above right).

 SOUTH KENSINGTON HIGHLIGHTS

Christies South Kensington will present two sales dedicated to Islamic art this season, along with approximately 100 other lots of decorative arts from the Islamic world in the Interiors sale on 24 April. The auction of Islamic & Indian Manuscripts & Works on Paper on 23 April, the first sale dedicated to Islamic works on paper at Christies for over twenty years. It includes around 400 lots and is expected to realise in excess of 600,000. Amongst the large selection of Persian & Indian manuscripts, the highlight is a Quran from Sultanate India, 16th century (estimate: 3,000-4,000 illustrated right). Other important lots in this sale include an Ottoman prayer book for the days of the week, from the Library of Sultan Bayezid II (r. 1481-1512) from Turkey, second half 15th century (estimate: 6,0008,000) and miniatures from Mughal India by the court painter Anup Chattar, dated 1658-9 AD: Portrait of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and Portrait of a military officer (estimates: 7,000-10,000 each). The sale of Indian & Islamic Works of Art & Textiles, on 27 April, comprises approximately 500 lots, with a total in the region of 800,000. The most important pieces are an opulent 18th century Ottoman jewelled silver presentation sword (kilij), from Constantinople (estimate: 6,000-8,000 illustrated left) and a fine silver enameled bottle with figural decoration from early 19th century Lucknow, India (estimate: 6,000-8,000). Textiles highlights include an Ottoman silk embroidered linen cover dating from the 18th century (estimate: 15,000-18,000) and an unusual Susani from Bokhara (estimate: 4,000-5,000).

ORIENTAL RUGS & CARPETS

The sale of Oriental Rugs & Carpets on 24 April will feature approximately 240 carpets, mainly from Persia, including examples by the most famous weavers, along with great Caucasian and Turkish rugs, the sale is expected to realise in the region of 2.5 million. Rare and exceptional examples will delight collectors: highlights include a 13th century Seljuk carpet fragment from Konya, central Anatolia, which is truly unique: no such carpet has ever been for sale at international auction (estimate: 200,000-300,000); The Boehringer white ground cintamani prayer rug from 16th century West Anatolia, which was gifted to Geigy Ltd in 1958 by Boehringer & Sohn (estimate: 80,000120,000); and the outstanding silk, gold and silver thread Koum Kapi carpet from Istanbul, Turkey, circa 1920 (estimate: 120,000-180,000 illustrated right) are amongst the highlights. Decorators will be equally pleased with several superb pieces coming from British country houses such as the Amritsar rug which originates from North India, circa 1890 (estimate 30,000-50,000) and an Ushak carpet from West Anatolia, circa 1900 (estimate 30,000-40,000).
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