Few artistic traditions span as much of the globe, or as many centuries, as the arts of the Islamic world. From the earliest Qur’an folios written in angular Kufic script to the gilded and lacquered bindings of the Ottoman court, the objects that pass through our saleroom tell a continuous story of faith, patronage and extraordinary craftsmanship.
A tradition built on the word
Calligraphy sits at the heart of Islamic art. Because the written word carries the revelation itself, scribes and illuminators were among the most honoured artists of their day, and the manuscripts they produced remain the most sought-after works in the field. Seljuk, Mamluk, Safavid and Mughal folios each carry recognisable hands and decorative vocabularies, and provenance and condition are everything.
Metal, glass and ceramic
Beyond the page, Islamic craftsmen brought the same discipline to inlaid brass, enamelled glass and lustre-painted pottery. Vessels made for mosques, palaces and merchants’ houses were engraved with benedictions, hunting scenes and interlace so fine that it rewards a magnifying glass. Many of the pieces we offer were made for daily use and have survived a thousand years of it.
Collecting today
Kew Auctions has specialised in this field for more than forty years. Our sales bring together manuscripts, metalwork, ceramics, arms and armour and works on paper at every level of the market, and our specialists are always happy to advise new collectors on where to begin. Contact us for a complimentary valuation or to be added to our mailing list for forthcoming sales.
