• Back-to-back online auctions of jewellery and textiles from 18 – 20 October 2016
• Auctions showcase a diversity of cultural influences
• Targeted at local and international buyers
Jewellery and textiles are among the oldest craft traditions in the world. Both are deeply rooted in their place and culture. In back-to-back auctions this
India 3 October 2016, Saffronart brings these two art forms together through lots that present a panorama of techniques and creativity reflected through jewellery and textile designs. Fine Jewels and Objets on 18 – 19 October 2016 features jewels and objets d’art that hark back to an era of vintage and glamour. Woven Treasures: Textiles from the Jasleen Dhamija Collection on 19 – 20 October 2016 features rare and important textiles discerningly acquired over six decades by leading textile historian, Jasleen Dhamija. These textiles showcase the rich traditions of Iran, Central Asia and India.
Fine Jewels and Objets:
Tasselled necklaces, objets including gold cigarette cases and holders, pill boxes, perfume dabbers, and fancy coloured stones,are among the highlights of the sale. Rare gemstones include sapphires, rubies from the Mogok mines in Myanmar, and natural saltwater pearls. A three-strand natural pearl necklace with exceptionally well-matched pearls leads the sale at INR 2.8 – 3.2 crores (USD 424,245 – 484,850). Other highlights include a spinel necklace; sapphire and diamond earrings; and a kunzite, pink sapphire and diamond ring. All pieces are attractively priced, offering buyers a unique opportunity to acquire quality jewels. Some lots, such as the sautoir, rings, pendants and earrings are suitable for everyday wear. The catalogue was put together keeping a broad collector base in mind, and the lots will appeal to buyers across the world.
Highlights:
1. Three Strand Natural Pearl Necklace
Designed as three strands of well-matched, gently graduated natural pearls to a diamond-set clasp
Estimate: INR 2.8 – 3.2 crores (USD 424,245 – 484,850)
2. Sapphire and Diamond Earrings
Aristocratic and rare, each earring is a stylised cluster centred on a oval-shaped blue sapphire with a surround of marquise and pear-shaped diamonds to a diamond-set hoop in white gold.
3. Five Strand Spinel Beads Necklace
Well-matched gently graduated spinel beads joined by an adjustable silk cord
4. Kunzite, Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring
A cocktail ring with a fine square-shaped checkerboard kunzite is at the centre. The centre stone has an immediate surround of full-cut diamonds and an extended surround of oval-shaped pink sapphires and pear-shaped rose-cut diamonds, mounted in gold.
5. Suite of Five Holders in Gold
Comprising of two cigarette holders, one lighter, one pencil and one perfume dabber in bamboo shoot design by Tiffany & Co. in 14 K
6. Gold Cigarette Case by Tiffany & Co.
A 14 K gold cigarette case with a basket weave pattern by Tiffany & Co.With maker's marks.
7. Gold Cigarette Case by Cartier
An 18 K gold cigarette box with a border of white enamel in geometric arabesque patterns set with gemsones by Cartier.
Estimates for all other lots available on request.
Woven Treasures: Textiles from the Jasleen Dhamija Collection:
Kashmiri Pashmina robes, Central Asiansuzanis, Iranian kilims and Zoroastrian ritual sofrehsare among the textiles on auction from Jasleen Dhamija’s personal collection. Jasleen is a pioneer in the research and revival of the textile traditions of India, Iran, Central Asia, South East Asia, the Balkans, and Africa.Each piece from her collection has been carefully selected for its technique, design, colours and meaning. Some have been purchased in bazaars; others directly off a weaver’s loom and some are the first pieces from independent India’s revival efforts. Many are no longer made, barely visible in the cultures they come from, their use and meaning almost forgotten. Each lot on auction is thoughtfully presented in the accompanying auction catalogue, with text by Dr. Monisha Ahmed, a textile historian and anthropologist whose work focuses on art practices and material culture in Ladakh and other parts of North India.
Highlights:
1. Bagh with Pigeons
West Punjab (Now Pakistan), Circa 1930
Handspun and handwoven cotton, hand embroidered with untwisted silk thread, natural dyes
55 x 90.5 in
2. Embroidered Pashmina Robe
Kashmir, Late 19th Century
Handspun and handwoven Pashmina, hand embroidered, natural dyes
Length 51.75 in, Sleeve span 61.75 in
3. Chamba Bodice with Large Floral Motifs (Set of Two)
Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, Late 19th Century
a) Handspun and handwoven cotton embroidered with untwisted silk, double-sided hand embroidery, natural dyes
Length 16.75 in, Sleeve span 30.5 in
b) Handspun and handwoven cotton embroidered with untwisted silk, double-sided hand embroidery, natural dyes
Length 15.5 in, Sleeve span 27.5 in
4. Zoroastrian Ikat Ritual Sofreh
Yazd, Iran, Late 19thCentury
Handspun and handwoven cotton warp and weft with silk-velvet ikat pile, natural dyes
44 x 188.75 in
NON-EXPORTABLE
5. Shah Nama Kalamkari
Isfahan, Iran, Late 19thCentury
Handspun and handwoven cotton, hand drawn and painted, natural dyes
22.25 x 40.75 in
NON-EXPORTABLE
6. Suzani with Constellation Pattern
Bukhara, Uzbekistan, Circa 1930
Handspun and handwoven cotton, hand embroidered with cotton threads, natural dyes
47.25 x 56.5 in
Estimates available on request.
Minal Vazirani, co-founder of Saffronart says, “Fine Jewels and Woven Treasures collectively offer a unique window into the philosophy, spirituality and aesthetics of a diverse set of cultures across South Asia, the Middle East and Europe. The jewellery sale features important pieces created around European old cut diamonds, as well as the traditional Indian jewellery techniques of meenakari and thewa seen from the Mughal era to present day. This attention to the details of aesthetics is underscored in the fascinating assemblage of textiles which document rare pieces from northern India, Iran and Central Asia through the collecting journey of the leading textile historian, JasleenDhamija. The Jewellery and Textile auctions offer buyers an unprecedented opportunity, not only to acquire pieces of exceptional quality, but also become keepers of traditions which are recognised for their greatness but unfortunately are also on the verge of dying out.”
The auction catalogues can be viewed on saffronart.com. Both sales are preceded by viewings in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Auctions:
Fine Jewels and Objets: 18 – 19 October 2016
Woven Treasures: Textiles from the JasleenDhamija Collection: 19 – 20 October 2016
saffronart.com
Viewings:
New Delhi:
7 – 9 October 2016
11 am – 7 pm on 7 – 8 October
11 am – 2 pm on 9 October
The Grand Ball Room and the Royal Room
The Leela Palace
Diplomatic Enclave
Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110 023, India
Mumbai:
14 – 20 October 2016
11 am – 7 pm, Monday to Saturday
Sunday by appointment
Saffronart
Industry Manor, Ground Floor
Appasaheb Marathe Marg, Prabhadevi
Mumbai 400025, India
About Saffronart
A global company with deep Indian roots, Saffronart was founded in 2000 on the strength of a private passion. Remaining committed to this passion and personal values, today Saffronart is a strong and successful international auction house that both embraces and drives change.
A platform for fine art and collectibles with over fourteen years of experience in auctions, Saffronart is committed to serving the growing community of Indian collectors, while also creating a cultural bridge to India for both the global Indian diaspora and the international community at large. Saffronart has set several global benchmarks for online auctions and is the subject of a case study at Harvard Business School.
In its 15 year journey, Saffronart has established itself as one of the leading auction houses in the world and has held several highly successful online and live auctions and preview events in cities like Mumbai, New Delhi, New York, London, Singapore and Hong Kong. In July 2015, Saffronart appointed Hugo Weihe, former International Director of Asian Art at Christie’s, as its new Chief Executive Officer. Weihe oversees Saffronart’s presence in Mumbai, New Delhi, New York and London in building a market for Indian art and antiquities globally.
Responding to the needs of today’s collectors, Saffronart offers a range of services including art advisory, private sales, appraisals and valuations, and specialised art storage. Through these personalised services, our dedicated team of professionals provides collectors with a comprehensive set of options to evolve and care for their collections over time. In April 2010, Saffronart leveraged its online presence and global reach to introduce a new service – Prime Properties in India. In 2013 Saffronart launched StoryLTD, an online auction and e-commerce platform to serve a broader base of art and collectibles buyers. Since 2014, StoryLTD has been holding a number of no-reserve online auctions which been enthusiastically received. StoryLTD recently launched its new programme of weekly auctions catering to the growing affordable art market.
Jasleen Dhamija Profile
Jasleen Dhamija is a leading textile historian who has been a pioneer in the research and revival of the textile traditions of India, Iran, Central Asia, South East Asia, the Balkans, and Africa for over six decades.
Jasleen has been involved in policy formulation, revival efforts, design and product development for the handicraft and handloom sector in India, as well as the other countries she worked in. She has travelled extensively and lived in many places during her career. She lived in Iran for seven years; Africa and Central Asia for four years each. During this time, she worked as a cultural advisor and consultant on rural non-farm development and women’s employment for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Jasleen continues to be an advisor to the Crafts Council of India, which she helped set up in 1964, and works closely with the World Crafts Council. She has curated significant exhibitions on Indian textiles, such as Textiles of the Commonwealth, and a comparative exhibition of the textiles of India and Indonesia. She has authored as well as edited several important publications on Indian and Iranian Textiles.
Jasleen has been collecting textiles ever since she became interested in the craft. Each piece in her collection has been discerningly acquired, carefully selected for their technique, design, colours and meaning. Some have been purchased in bazaars; others directly off a weaver’s loom and some are the first pieces from independent India’s revival efforts. Many are no longer made, barely visible in the cultures they come from, their use and meaning almost forgotten.
Several textiles from Jasleen’s collection are in Saffronart’s upcoming auction, Woven Treasures: Textiles from the Jasleen Dhamija Collection. Each lot is thoughtfully presented in the accompanying auction catalogue, with text by Dr. Monisha Ahmed, a textile historian and anthropologist whose work focuses on art practices and material culture in Ladakh and other parts of North India, and who has worked closely with Jasleen over the years. The auction is on saffronart.com on 19 – 20 October 2016.