Explore exceptional works of the upcoming auction

Sale Highlights

In this wonderfully detailed panorama by the celebrated Sikh artist Bishan Singh, the Sikh leader Maharaja Ranjit Singh rides his elephant through a bazaar in Lahore. He is accompanied by an extravagant court entourage in the foreground, while craftsmen work busily in the background.<br><br>The French general Claude Auguste Court describes the splendour and size of Ranjit Singh’s durbars, hunts and royal tours. ‘In his tours he liked to bewilder those around him. No one could know the time of his departure or the direction he would take’ The maharaja took these tours to check on his provinces and offer opportunities for his people to sell their commodities (Toor 2024, p.52).

Ranjit Singh’s Procession

In the world of collecting Islamic arms and armour, the name of Philippe Missillier is synonymous with refined taste and deep scholarship. Missillier’s brilliance as a scholar-collector is attested by the items on offer here, which collectively represent over 500 years of history. The collection charts the technological evolution of weapons from the equestrian age of chivalry to the gunpowder revolution, showing that even as arms became more sophisticated, they continued to evince a consistently high level of craftsmanship.

The Philippe Missillier Collection, Part Two

Splendour

From Mughal treasures to Company School Masters

Exceptional Indian Painting

Armour & Ornament

Rugs, carpets and textiles from Persia, India and Anatolia

Woven Wonders

London

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        </div>Mon, 29 Sept 25 • 10:00 AM–6:00 PM<br>Tue, 30 Sept 25 • 10:00 AM–6:00 PM<br>Wed, 1 Oct 25 • 10:00 AM–6:00 PM<br>Thu, 2 Oct 25 • 10:00 AM–6:00 PM<br>Fri, 3 Oct 25 • 10:00 AM–6:00 PM<br><br><i>Location: Sotheby's Unit 1, Level B2 Gate Village Building 3 DIFC, Dubai, United Arab Emirates</i><br><br><div class="Enhancement">
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        </div><br>Fri, 24 Oct 25 • 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM BST<br>Sat, 25 Oct 25 • 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM BST<br>Sun, 26 Oct 25 • 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM GMT<br>Mon, 27 Oct 25 • 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM GMT<br>Tue, 28 Oct 25 • 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM GMT<br><br><i>Location: 34-35 New Bond Street, London, W1A 2AA, UK</i>

SVP, Chairman, Middle East & India

Edward Gibbs

Head of Auction Sales

Benedict Carter

Specialist Islamic and Indian Art | Rugs & Carpets

Frankie Keyworth

Senior Consultant | Rugs & Carpets

Jacqueline Coulter

Meet our Specialists

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Sotheby’s autumn auction brings together important works that showcase artistic excellence from across a wide range of geographies. The sale is led by a wonderfully detailed panaorama by celebrated Sikh artist Bishan Singh, together with an important allegorical miniature depicting Jahangir as the queller of Shah Jahan's rebellion. The rich manuscript tradition is demonstrated by a magnificent Qur’an by Ahmad al-Nayrizi and impressive leaves from the Nurse’s and Baysunghur Qur’ans, while an exceptionally rare throne ornament evokes the luxury of the Ottoman courts.

Arts of the Islamic World & India