The Top Highlight is a magnificent and extremely rare Islamic Mecca-centred world map, a masterpiece from Safavid Persia, will star in the Islamic and Indian Art Sale on 14 November at Bonhams New Bond Street. The map, formerly on display at the Harvard Museum of Art, and dating from the last quarter of the 17th century, is the finest and most complete Mecca-centred world map of only three surviving examples (the other two were discovered in 1989 and 1995) and is the most important Islamic scientific instrument ever offered at auction, carrying an estimate of £1,500,000-2,000,000...
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Contributor:
Charlie J Ercilla / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2T6HKA5File size:
63.9 MB (2.2 MB Compressed download)Releases:
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5638 x 3964 px | 47.7 x 33.6 cm | 18.8 x 13.2 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
10 November 2023Location:
BONHAMS BOND STREET ,LONDON ,UKMore information:
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BONHAMS ISLAMIC & INDIAN ART SALE AND SOUTH ASIAN ART SALE , Both sales take place on Tuesday 14 November at Bonhams New Bond Street, London.The Top lot is a magnificent and extremely rare Islamic Mecca-centred world map, a masterpiece from Safavid Persia, will star in the Islamic and Indian Art Sale on 14 November at Bonhams New Bond Street. The map, formerly on display at the Harvard Museum of Art, and dating from the last quarter of the 17th century, is the finest and most complete Mecca-centred world map of only three surviving examples (the other two were discovered in 1989 and 1995) and is the most important Islamic scientific instrument ever offered at auction, carrying an estimate of £1, 500, 000-2, 000, 000. The discovery of these maps proved a real turning point in the academic understanding of Islamic cartography. Recognised by the historian and author, Dr David King as the only surviving examples of Islamic world maps with localities properly marked on a coordinate grid, the maps revolutionised our understanding of Islamic cartographers and the scientific sophistication of their instruments. King notes, “These instruments are of a kind previously unknown to the history of science.” King continues, “As maps, their most remarkable characteristic is the complex nature of the mathematics underlying the cartography. As artefacts, their importance lies in their being the sole known examples of a medieval cartographic tradition of outstanding sophistication.” At its heart, the map’s intent is simple, to guide the beholder to Mecca, yet its historical significance radiates far beyond its use. The map positions Mecca not only as its geographical centre, but in a wider sense, it is representative of a time when the Middle East was itself the intellectual, artistic, and scientific focal point of the world. Believed to have originated from Isfahan, a city renowned for its masterful metal craftsmanship ...