Orient Arts and Orientalism

In a global context where the rising of Emirates' new museums drives the market, and where the renewal of the Louvre's Islamic Arts Department arouses the interest of the general public in France, the two annual auctions of MILLON offer the occasion to appreciate the many Arts from Morocco to India, from the 9th to the 19th century, and the visions of Orient through the proposed orientalist paintings and sculptures.

Arthur von Ferraris (1856-1936), Cairo, 1892, (The Wise Monkey)

Est. 400 000 - 500 000 Eur

An exceptional and important painting of Arthur von Ferraris (1856-1936), a Hungarian artist from the 19th century, a disciple of Jean Léon Gérôme, features among the ten most important lots. In 1892, after a journey in Egypt, Arthur von Ferraris paints 'Le Caire 1892', that he presents at the Salon des Artistes Français under the number 667, entitled 'Le Singe Savant'. This artwork represents a typical view upon Cairo at the time. Numerous characters gather around the wise monkey who is entertaining children and adults. The artworks of German and Austrian Schools of painting are very popular among Egyptians and Emirates collectors because they reveal the interest that the West started having for the East in the 19th century.

Lot 262 / Arthur von Ferraris (1856-1936), Cairo, 1892, (The Wise Monkey), 135x101 cm / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

An Iznik Panel of two polychrome tiles - c.1580, Period of Murad III

Est. 40 000 - 50 000 €

For the Ottoman Art lovers and collectors, who have recently been very active on the Islamic Arts and Orientalism market, MILLON will present twenty Iznik ceramics from the 16th and 17th centuries, of which the most interesting is a two-tiles panel from the Murad III period, dated c. 1580. These two tiles feature an exceptional quality, and emphasize the preciseness of the scenery, the swift movement of the dog-roses stems and the vividness of the blue, red and green opposing on the blazing white background. All the greatest Islamic art collections own similar tiles. Thus, the Louvre, the Metropoliten Museum, and the Sadberk Hanim Muzesi all own a panel made of same tiles; and recently, the Doha's MIA (Qatar) also aquired two copies of it.

Lot 60 / An Iznik panel of two polychrome tiles - c.1580, Period of Murad III, Dim. 23,5x48 cm / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

More of the interesting artworks that will be available at the auction:

An Ottoman Silver Pencase 'DIVIT', marked Vehbi with Tugra of Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839)

Est. 2500/3000 €

Lot 22 / An Ottoman silver pencase 'DIVIT', marked Vehbi with Tugra of Sultan Mahmud II (1808-1839) / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

A Samarqand or Nishapur Potterydish with Kufic Inscription, 10th century

Est. 3000/4000 €

Lot 57 / A Samarqand or Nishapur Potterydish with kufic inscription - 10th century / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

Iskandar Fights the Dragon. A Persian Miniature, Shiraz, c.1600

Est. 1200/1500 €

Lot 98 / Iskandar fights the dragon. A Persian miniature, Shiraz, c.1600 / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

Twenty Ilkhanid Qur'an Folios with Eight Illuminated Titles – 13th /14th century

Est. 6000/8000 €

Lot 113 / Twenty Ilkhanid Qur'an Folios with eight illuminated titles – 13th /14th century / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

A Thuluth Jali Ottoman Calligraphic Panel, signed Abdulfattah, dated 1290 H. (1873)

Est. 1800/2000 €

Lot 138 / A thuluth jali Ottoman calligraphic panel, signed Abdulfattah, dated 1290 H. (1873) / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

A Khurasan Silver and Copper-inlaid Brass Ewer, with Cursive Inscriptions - 13th century

Est. 2000/3000 €

Lot 16 / A Khurasan silver and copper-inlaid brass ewer, with cursive inscriptions – 13th century / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

Eugene-Jules Delahogue (1867-1934), Large street in Kairouan

Est. 3500/4000 €

Lot 242 / Eugene-Jules Delahogue (1867-1934) 'Large street in Kairouan' / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

Raymond Tellier (1897-1985), Halfaouine Place, Tunis

Est. 1800/2000 €

Lot 305 Bis / Raymond Tellier (1897-1985), Halfaouine Place, Tunis / Courtesy of MILLON Auction House

For more information on the upcoming auction please visit MILLON Auction House.