March 25, 2011

Paid Content: Southeby's to auction five-million dollar book page

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Edward Gibbs (the head of Middle Eastern art department) holds aloft the extremely valuable illustrated page.

This is where the amateurs take their seats at the back. Five-million dollars is the estimate put on a single illuminated page from the Shahnamah of Shah Tahmasp of Persia. The five-hundred-year-old “Book of Kings” is considered the finest illustrated manuscript in existence and the Southeby’s offering one of a handful left in private collections.

The page is in pristine conditions and depicts vividly the scene “Faridun In the Guise Of A Dragon Tests His Sons.” The piece hails form the collection of Stuart Cary Welch, of whom artdaily.org writes,

A celebrated connoisseur and collector, Stuart Cary Welch was also a curator, scholar and gifted teacher. His contribution for over half a century to the study of the art and aesthetics of India and the Middle East was second to none. Through his innate understanding and intense feeling for Indian and Islamic art, especially painting and drawing, he was able to enlighten and lead others towards a richer and deeper appreciation of the subject. Testament to his infectious enthusiasm for artistic beauty and to his inspirational gifts as a teacher is the distinguished role call of students and friends who went on to become scholars, collectors, curators and museum directors in their own right.

The auction is to be held on May 31st (for any of you thinking of flying over to London to grab this “must have”relic). Additional items from Welch’s collection and more details on the auction are featured on artdaily.org.

Happy bidding.

Paul Oliver is the marketing manager of Melville House. Previously he was co-owner of Wolfgang Books in Philadelphia.

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