Ancient Artifacts, Coins, & Islamic Art

Palmyra Heritage Gallery will offer the upcoming Ancient Artifacts, Coins, & Islamic Art auction in mid-September. Among the key items are Greek and Roman terracotta pieces, Italian pottery, bronze phiale bowls, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and Islamic art. One example of the fine art selections is a small painting of an Indian noblewoman smoking with an attendant. The work is from the Mandi school and was painted around 1750 using opaque pigments and gold on paper. The Mandi painters were known for portraying the religious tales of Shiva from the Ramayana, especially those of Krishna or “Madho Rai.” 

From the available coins is a Persian gold double daric from the Alexandrian Empire, made between 328 and 311 BCE. The coin is stamped with a Persian hero holding a spear in his right hand, a bow in his left. Also in the sale is an illuminated Quran manuscript. The text is written in Arabic script and is vocalized throughout with orange recitational markings. There are six fully-illuminated pages in color and gold. There are also ten pages with border decorations and gold lines. Divisions of the Quran are marked by marginal gold medallions. The last page bears the Islamic calendar date 1160, which corresponds to the year 1747 CE. View any of these lots and register to bid on Bidsquare.