HALI NEWSLETTER No. 437

[View this email in your browser]( Olympia Auctions will hold its 'Islamic, Indian, Himalayan and South-East Asian Art' live and online auction on 8 November at 1pm GMT. Preview the lots on 5 November from 12pm–4pm, 6 November from 10am–8pm and 7 November from 10am–5pm. Offering 300 lots, mostly from several private collections, this is one of the largest and most important sales in this field to be held at Olympia Auctions for a few years. Particularly well-represented are rare Tibetan, Thai and Indian bronze images, Indian miniatures and larger paintings, metalwork, sculpture, textiles and woodcarving. Islamic art is also represented with a group of Damascus tiles acquired almost sixty years ago and a fine brass inlaid huqqa bottle from the Islamic Deccan, Southern India. Estimates range from £20–£25,000. Shown above is lot 518, a length of djellaba cloth, Morocco, 19th century (est. £200–300). [View the catalogue.]( [News] The The Hajji Baba Club and Textile Museum Associates of Southern California, Inc. present the webinar 'Truly Tribal in South Persian Weavings', with the researcher, author, collector and dealer James Opie on Saturday 11 November at 10 am PT / 1 pm ET / 6 pm GMT. What makes a weaving "tribal"? Is it its origin, history, complexity or lack thereof, or something else? In this online talk, longtime rug scholar and author James Opie will explore the topic of weavings from southern Iran, emphasising their importance in the canon of Persian weaving. He will distinguish between urban influenced motifs and indigenous or tribal patterns and, by comparing various tribal confederacies in southern Iran, such as the Qashqa’i, Khamseh, Luri, Bakhtiari and Afshar, he will analyse the differences between urban influenced and indigenous examples. He will also examine other mediums of art and their impact and connections to southern Iranian rugs. [Register to view the webinar on Zoom for free.]( Wannenes is holding its 'Antique Rugs and Textiles' online auction on 13 November 2023. Among the most significant pieces is a rare 17th-century Esfahan carpet with a fascinating pattern of clouds and palmettes. Another masterpiece in the sale is the ancient decorative Ziegler Mahal carpet from the Sultanabad region, northwest Persia and dating from 1900 or earlier. This carpet is an outstanding example of the union of Western and Eastern design. Also offered is the Iconsuete Persian carpet from the Bakhtiari region, Zagros Mountains, dating from 1930. Finally, the signed carpet from Kashan souf with a bright gold background and dating from 1900 (above), completes this extraordinary selection. This auction offers collectors and lovers of antique textiles a wonderful opportunity to acquire works of great beauty. [Find out more.]( [News] Don't forget that booking is open for the upcoming HALI Tour, 'Decorative Arts of Iberia', taking place from 8–20 April 2024 in Spain and Portugal. The tour takes a journey from the glimmering tiles of the Manueline Gothic of Portugal to the restrained honey sandstone of Castile and the austerity of the Escorial’s cold granite walls. From the Gulbenkian to the Prado we visit some of the greatest museums in the world. As with all HALI Tours, our encounters with rugs and textiles will form a running thread throughout the exploration of the region, with fascinating themes relating to the history of art, culture and cuisine of the Iberian Peninsular introduced by expert lecturers and curators en route. What sets The Decorative Arts of Iberia apart is its focus on works that should be far better known. From majolica to Meissen, from the greatest Gothic tapestries to the great gazelle vases manufactured for the Nasrid Alhambra, the programme offers a cornucopia of treasures that is the envy of the world. Book now to avoid disappointment. Email halitours@hali.com for further information Image: ‘Sanguszko’ medallion carpet, Kerman region, south-central Iran, ca. 1550-1575. Instituto de Valencia de Don Juan, Madrid. [Book this tour.]( Bukowskis will present 67 Swedish carpets and textiles at its Stockholm salesroom on 15 November 2023. The selection is varied and consists of several unique works such as a unique tapestry by the internationally recognized Swedish artist Sigrid Hjertén. Märta Måås-Fjetterström and her studio are represented through her own works, as well as those by Barbro Nilsson and Marianne Richeter. Displaying her unique colour palette are Agda Österberga's tapestries and a unique carpet from the 1930s. Bid by telephone or online. For enquiries, please contact the head of department, Christopher Stålhandske: T: [+468235739](tel:+468235739) E: christopher.stalhandske@bukowskis.com [Find out more.]( [News] For the final chapter of our exploration of baghs and phulkaris for [#RugFactFriday]( we will outline some defining features of these weavings that have been discussed over the past few weeks. - Phulkaris and baghs are both traditional forms of hand-embroidery from the Punjab region, which includes parts of India and Pakistan. Phulkari means 'flower work,' and bagh means 'garden,' reflecting the floral and natural motifs in their designs. - While both are forms of embroidery, they have distinct styles. Phulkaris primarily feature floral patterns, while baghs are characterised by geometric and repetitive designs, often resembling lush gardens or forests. - Phulkaris and baghs carry cultural and social significance. They are often created by women and are an integral part of a bride's trousseau. These embroidered textiles are believed to bring good luck and protection. - The embroidery in both baghs and phulkaris is done by hand, and the techniques include intricate stitching with vibrant silk threads on a cotton or silk fabric base. Different stitching methods are employed to create the unique patterns and textures. Shown above is a phulkari, India, Punjab, 19th century, Cleveland Museum of Art. These embroideries have been discussed in great detail in past issues of HALI. Buy a subscription to the magazine to keep up to date with new discoveries, and to access the HALI archive, which contains a bounty of articles on these gorgeous textiles. [Buy a subscription to HALI.]( [Follow Us] [Facebook]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Instagram]( [Been forwarded this email and want to receive it regularly? Subscribe to this newsletter]( Copyright © 2023, Hali Publications Ltd., All rights reserved. [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences](