Islamic artifacts sold in international auctions

CAIRO – 9 May 2021: London’s Sotheby's exhibited two pieces of linear sandstone tiles from India, probably Delhi, dating back to the 13th century, in an auction titled "Arts of the Islamic World & India, Including Fine Carpets."

Their price was estimated between £8,000 and £12,000, and they were sold for £10,800.

Both fragments are deeply engraved and form part of an epigraphic inscription.Each is mounted on a bespoke stand.

These carved stone panels represent the Indian art that was widely spread in this region of the world, at the end of the 12th century and the beginning of the 13thcentury.

These panels combine the features of the Ghuri brick and the stucco decoration that was introduced to India during the conquest of Delhi by the Ghurid Sultan Moez al-Din Muhammad (r. 1173-1206).

It is worth noting that Sotheby's previously sold three huge Ottoman-style cases, dating back to the 17th century. The huge cases were estimated to value between £80,000 and £120,000, and were sold for £107,000.

The manuscript consists of 15 lines written in elongated Kufic script in dark brown ink, diacritics in the form of red and green dots and inverted dividers in gold and outlined in dark brown. The headings of the suras in gold are outlined in dark brown ink and surrounded by a frame.