Auction at MILLON (May 3, 2018) Art of Orient and Orientalism

This session will open with a chapter devoted to Orientalist painters. Among items, a painting signed Etienne DINET (1861-1929), will catch collectors eyes. The old traditionalist writer of desert is estimated 15 000 - 25 000 Euros (lot 28). Dinet is an emblematic figure of the Orientalist movement. He has shared his life between France and Algeria, the country he fell in love with and which became his main source of inspiration through his landscapes, his culture and his people.

Etienne DINET (1861-1929) / Courtesy of Millon

The production of the Russian painter Alexandre ROUBTZOFF (1884-1949) will be represented through twenty works realized between 1916 and 1934. In 1914, he leaves his native country, Russia for Tunisia, his adopted country and travels in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, India, Turkestan or Turkey. He will portray his oriental wanderings on canvas and on paper. The sale therefore highlights the diversity of Roubtzoff works. It will particularly focus on a bright oil on canvas entitled, The Tomb of Beny Djellab, King of Touggourt, and estimated 5,000 - 7,000 Euros (lot 81)

Alexandre ROUBTZOFF (1884-1949) / Courtesy of Millon

Addison Thomas MILLAR (Warren, 1860 - Philadelphie_1913 / Courtesy of Millon

Gustave Nicolas PINEL (Les Riceys 1842 - Paris 1896) / Courtesy of Millon

The second part of this sale will be devoted to books and manuscripts. Fifty books will be exhibited including a remarkable 'Shanameh' from 1612, copied by Abd al-Rahim al-Katib, the renowned calligrapher of Akbar’s court, the famous Mughal Emperor. Composed of 487 sheets, it is illustrated with 12 drawings and paintings attributable to the Mughal India of the seventeenth century. These delicate watercolour floral motifs are reminiscent of famous Indian paintings. Works of this quality are generally kept in the most prestigious private and public collections of the world. This rare artwork commissioned for the treasure of Jahangir, the fourth emperor of the Mughal dynasty who ruled over India from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century, is estimated at 50,000 - 60,000 Euros (lot 227).

'Shanameh' from 1612, copied by Abd al-Rahim al-Katib / Courtesy of Millon

'Shanameh' from 1612, copied by Abd al-Rahim al-Katib / Courtesy of Millon

'Shanameh' from 1612, copied by Abd al-Rahim al-Katib / Courtesy of Millon

Astronomical instruments will also be beautifully represented. The sale includes highlights in astronomy field such as two sundials, indicators of Qibla and equipped with compass, each estimated 4 000 - 6 000 Euros. The first (lot 215) is an equatorial dial made during the Qajar dynasty and signed Sharaf al-Din 'Ali, the second (lot 216), was executed under the Ottoman Empire, between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century.

Sundial, equatorial dial made during the Qajar dynasty and signed Sharaf al-Din 'Ali / Courtesy of Millon

Sundial, Ottoman Empire, late 18th - early 19th century / Courtesy of Millon

A hammered brass Qajar celestial globe (lot 217) will also be auctioned. This Iranian sphere made around 1800 engraved with graduation of the ecliptic, tropics and poles. Finely detailed, this true artwork is estimated 8 000 - 12 000 Euros.

A hammered brass Qajar celestial globe / Courtesy of Millon

The auction at MILLON offers 335 lots.