ARTS OF THE EAST & INDIA

From Cordoba to Kuala Lumpur, from the 8th to the 20th century, nearly 400 works will be offered for sale, including a private collection of Arabic, Persian and Ottoman manuscripts (lots 387 to 405) and the Koran of Emperor Shah Alam II, copied in 1771 (lot 413). Three bookcases feature works on art history, early Arabian expeditions, rare editions of the 1st Arabic texts, and early photographs of Mecca and Medina (lots 332 to 363). Paintings include a Portrait of Qazi Ahmad Ghaffari by Abu'l-Hasan Mustawfi Ghaffari, 1787-88 (lot 447), a superb page from the Ramayana (lot 519), and a canvas depicting the dynasty of the Ottoman Sultans (lot 471). As for ceramics, a large molded plaque celebrates the meeting of Shah 'Abbas I and Vali Muhammad Khan (lot 460), while antique Qallaline pieces illustrate the skills of Tunisian potters. And for inspiration from the major Uzbekistan exhibitions currently underway in Paris, don't miss the Suzani (lots 556 and 559).