The owner had collected an array of items over the past four decades including furniture, jewellery, decorative arts, rugs and paintings.
Matt Caddick, director at Chiswick Auctions, said: “This is one of the most interesting collections we’ve had the pleasure of offering. Everything purchased by the collector was done so because he loved the piece and it was the best example of its kind, and as each was looked after so well, it’s meant that their condition is stunning.”
The owner kept the majority of the receipts for the items, helping with provenance of the pieces.
1. A 19th century mother of pearl cabinet
Among the Middle Eastern works in the collection is this 19th century mother of pearl, bone and ivory marquetry hardwood cabinet. Designed to imitate the Nasrid buildings, the interior was inspired by the Sala de los Reyes at the Alhambra Palace in Granada and features intricately pierced and carved polylobed arches, Moorish star-shaped and geometric wall panels and exquisite calligraphic bands. It is estimated to fetch £6000-8000. It can be viewed at thesaleroom.com.
2. An Iranian Qajar steel helmet, shield and armguard
This Iranian Qajar gold-damascened and silver-inlaid steel helmet, shield and armguard dating from the 19th century is inlaid and decorated with intricate floral and calligraphic cartouches on a background of floral tendrils. It is estimated at £3000-5000. This lot can be viewed at thesaleroom.com.
3. Velvet wall hangings
Three sets of 19th century embroidered velvet wall hangings from the Ottoman province of Hijaz (now part of Saudi Arabia) are included in the sale. The designs are based on those seen on pilgrimages to the holy city of Mecca. They are estimated at £2000-3000 a pair. This pair features an appliqued central cartouche containing blessings to the ruler in Arabic. To view this lot visit thesaleroom.com.
4. Japanese bronze and ivory female figure
The sale includes a number of Japanese works including this late 19th-early 20th century Japanese bronze and ivory female figure of a female wearing a yukata (summer kimono). It was cast by the respected Tokyo-based artist Izumi Seijo II (1865-1937) and also worked on by Izumi Seijo and Kaneda Kenjiro. It is estimated at £5000-8000 and the lot can be viewed online at thesaleroom.com.
5. Tiffany style lamp
There are a number of Tiffany-style lamps in the collection including this example with a glass shade decorated with poppies. It has a bronze base designed as a lily pad and is estimated at £1500-2000. To view this lot and others visit thesaleroom.com.
6. Bronze seated nude
This alabaster and bronze figure of a seated nude carrying flowers by Lucien Charles Edouard Alliot (1877-1967) from the c.1920s is inscribed on the base and sits on a marble plinth. Estimated at £1800-2500, it has provenance to Spanish gallery Santana Decorative Arts from 2010. View the lot on thesaleroom.com.
7. Orientalist watercolour
The collection’s paintings section includes this watercolour by the Belgian artist Louis Haghe (1806-85). A corner of the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar, Cairo with the Al-Azhar mosque beyond (1850) is estimated at £800-1200. View the lot on thesaleroom.com.