Lot 1: HAYAT AL-NUFUS (EGYPTIAN, 20TH CENTURY), TWO EGYPTIAN MILITARY MUSICIANS, 1943-4 A.D.

A watercolour on paper signed Hayat al-Nufus depicts two musicians in Egyptian military ceremonial dress. The figure on the left is rendered holding a large circular brass horn, while the figure on the right is shown with a pair of cymbals. Both subjects are dressed in traditional red fezes and dark purple-toned tunics with decorative yellow and red trim, worn over light-coloured breeches with red side stripes and dark gaiters. The work is executed in a fluid illustrative style characterised by layered watercolour washes over visible pencil underdrawing. The painting is signed in Arabic script to the lower centre as Hayat al-Nufus and dated 4 January 1943. It is presented in a modern, wide ornate gilt-effect wooden frame with a cream-coloured mount.

Provenance: Private middle eastern collection, Acquired by the current owner from the artist family  

Published in the book "Hayat Alnufus Manart Alfan Altashkily, 2019", page 17 

38 by 28 painting 

66 by 55cm frame