An afternoon at the Sotheby's and Christie's during Islamic Sales Week is always full of intrigue and beauty.
The Russian court was full of Ottoman treasures. Catherine the Great's crowned cipher the year 1789 have been added on top of the handle of this splendid agate Ottoman cup, set with rubies and emeralds (Sotheby's Lot 168). The Empress had annexed Crimea for the Russians six years later, and arrived there in a magnificent procession to take up residence in Bahçesaray, the palace of the conquered khans. The court is out as to whether the enammeled gold mount is Russian or even French. The estimate is a modest £80,000–120,000. The experts say it has a wonderful tactile feel and weight to it.
Here are some lots other that caught the eye.
Lot 208 at Sotheby's is an 18th-century depiction of court life seems naive but is full of true detail.
Lot 200 a bold view of the Seraglio.
Lot 62, Christie's Spring Islamic Sales, 2024: a glimpse of diplomatic relations with Persia in the 17th century.
The Orientalists at Sotheby's have two or three gems of Ottoman interest.
Everything is in the detail of Lot 306 at Sotheby's by Jean-Léon Gérôme… the exquisitely captured folds of the skirt, the light pouring through the latticed window. The measurements are a diminutive 35.5 by 25cm. The estimate for this gem of a painting unsurprisingly £150,000 - 250,000. For any museum without its Gérôme this is the one to hanker after.
Lot 300 Jean-Baptiste-Henri Durand-Brager (est. £8000–12,000)