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Islamic Art Consignment
Sotheby’s first sold Qur’ans and manuscripts in 1755. Today, London’s “Islamic Week,” held in April and October, is the focal point in the Islamic art diary, attracting global collectors and curators. Our sales offer classical arts from the Middle East and wider Islamic World, featuring manuscripts in Arabic, Persian and Turkish as well as paintings, metalwork, arms and armour and jewelry. A highly important blue and white Iznik pottery charger, circa 1480, from Turkey that was estimated to sell between 300,000 to 500,000 GBP, sold for an impressive 5,359,950 GBP at auction.
Arts of the Islamic World sales comprise works produced under the aegis of multiple Islamic empires spread over three continents over a period of over 1,200 years. Sourced from private collections, highlights include precious gem-set and enamelled jewels, fine textiles, miniature paintings, rugs and carpets, Arab, Persian and Turkish manuscripts, calligraphy, ceramics and pottery from Persia and Mesopotamia, gilded and enamelled glass work, and courtly wares of the Mamluk period in Egypt and Syria.
Now is the perfect time to sell Islamic art, pottery, silver, painting or other consigned art in one of our upcoming sales. To start, simply submit images and information to Sotheby's through our easy-to-use online estimate form. Our global team of specialists will review your submission and issue preliminary estimates for items that can be included in our sales.
Find Out the Value of Your Islamic Art
Submit photos and information about your Islamic Art and begin your complimentary estimate request.
Get an Estimate
Islamic Art Consigned with Sotheby's
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much is my Islamic art worth?Islamic pottery, ceramics, paintings, armour and artefacts are valued based on provenance, condition, rarity and artist. As the market leader for fine and rare Islamic art, Sotheby's specialists are highly qualified to help you determine, “How much is my Islamic art worth?” Simply submit your details online and our experts can provide you with a complimentary estimate . Our international team is based in London and includes four highly experienced specialists who work in collaboration with Sotheby’s experts in New York, Paris, throughout Europe, The Middle East and India.
- What types of consigned Islamic art does Sotheby’s handle?Our Arts of the Islamic World sales feature works produced across multiple Islamic empires over a period of over 1,400 years. Top performers include illuminated Qur’ans, Iznik pottery, ceramics, precious gem-set and enamelled jewels,paintings and portraits, miniature paintings, drawings, illustrations, fine textiles, arms and armour, rugs and carpets, manuscripts, calligraphy and gilded and enamelled glass work.
- When do Sotheby's auctions of Islamic art occur?Sotheby's hosts sales of Islamic art throughout the year. Our auctions of Arts of the Islam World present property from distinguished private collections to capture the attention of first-time buyers and discerning collectors. Sotheby's specialists are ready to help determine the value of your Islamic art and recommend the best strategy to sell artwork and artefacts or consign an art collection. Find out more about upcoming auctions.
- Will Sotheby's buy my Islamic artwork directly?Sellers may consign artwork to be sold at auction or privately with Sotheby's, but we do not purchase art directly from clients. While our primary auctions occur in London, we also host other sales throughout the year. Once you submit your artwork details online, our specialists can discuss the best selling options with you.
More information on how to sell with Sotheby's
Sotheby’s is your best resource to sell Islamic art, such as an illuminated Qur’an, precious gem-set and enamelled jewels, a fine textile, miniature painting, armour, weaponry, rug, carpet, an antique ornament, as well as an Arab, Persian or Turkish manuscript, calligraphy, ceramics and pottery that reflect the Persian and Mesopotamian cultures, as well as the trade routes between Central Asia and the Mediterranean, important gilded and enamelled glass work, especially the courtly wares of the Mamluk period in Egypt and Syria.