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Wednesday 9 April 2014

Hot Tips from Christie's Head of Islamic and Indian Art, Sara Plumbly

This week my Leading Light column interviewee is Sara Plumbly, Head of Islamic and Indian Art at Christie's. Their twice yearly Islamic and Indian Art sale happens this week. Sara drew my attention to Lot 145, described below, so I'm passing the tip onto readers; watch the price go through the roof on this one. Also noteworthy is Lot 130. Get your bids in!

Lot 130
A MUGHAL JADE PENDANT (HALDILI)
MUGHAL INDIA, DATED AH 1006/1597-89 AD
Of drop shape, the jade surface carved with 7ll. of extremely elegant nasta'liq with occasional floral flourishes, the final line dated, pinned through the centre to a 19th century gold mount decorated in repoussé with a floral spray issuing flowerheads and fleshy leaves
2¼in. (6cm.) high; 2 3/8in. (6.4cm.) wide
Estimate £15,000 - £20,000 
Lot 145
A MUGHAL GEM-SET JADE HILTED DAGGER (KHANJAR)
NORTH INDIA OR DECCAN, 17TH CENTURY
The slightly recurved double-edged watered-steel blade with medial ridge and armour piercing point, the pistol-grip pale jade hilt elegantly set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, yellow sapphires and coloured gemstones with a bold floral spray rising from the base, the spine decorated with an emerald leaf motif issuing floral vine that curls around the end of the hilt, the original sheath covered with yellow velvet and with jade locket and chape simialrly inset with elegant floral sprays
14 3/8in. (36.6cm.) long (without sheath)
Estimate £100,000 - £150,000