7 minute read
Behind the scenes with an Islamic arts expert
BEHNAZ ATIGHI MOGHADDAM
Expert Profile
We go behind the scenes with Behnaz Atighi Moghaddam, Christie’s Islamic and Indian Art department’s head of sale
Left A diamond-set and enamelled Qajar Order of the Sun (NeshanE-Aftab), France, c. 1900, has an estimate of £5,000-£7,000 at this month’s sale
What was the first antique you ever acquired?
A sweet, little enamelled 19th-century Qajar brooch in the shape of a bow. I was on a family holiday in Vienna when I was 16 and I came across it in a flea market – it was an inexpensive purchase. The piece was such a random find, and a happy surprise to see such a historic object so far away from its place of production.
Why, and when, did you start in the business?
I come from a family of art collectors and conservators, so I grew up with antiques and have been surrounded by the arts for as long as I can remember.
My first job in the arts world was as a gallery assistant in a gallery specialising in African art. I went on to join the Victoria & Albert Museum in London as an assistant curator and exhibition researcher.
After five years, I joined Christie’s Islamic and Indian department. I was keen to develop further my understanding of the business of art, as well as the opportunity to engage in research
Who influenced you most when you started?
Tim Stanley was a huge inspiration for me. He was, and still is, the head of the Middle Eastern department at the V&A. I learnt so much from him both in terms of art history and curating, researching and examining objects. Luckily, the Islamic art world is very small and I am still in regular contact with him. I have also learnt so much from my colleague, William Robinson at Christie’s who is the international head of world art.
Below Behnaz’s best find would be a Safavid period textile. This one depicts the princely pastime of falconry
What piece would you still most like to find?
That is such a hard question as I have a very long wish list of objects, manuscripts and works of art have read about in historical accounts but which are yet to be found.
My top three would be a Fatimid rock crystal jug, a Safavid figural velvet robe often depicted in royal paintings of the 17th century, or a gem-set Ottoman bookbinding.
What do you like most about the business?
The discovery aspect, including the research of objects, which is the ‘Indiana Jones’ reality of our roles at Christie’s.
I also love meeting people from all backgrounds who share my passion for such pieces. At Christie’s there is no typical day which makes working there so tremendously interesting. Also, travelling is part of my day-to-day job, whether it be in the UK or abroad. My days are full of surprises; I never know what sort of objects someone might bring in for evaluation.
In broader terms, I love the fact technology has made it so much easier for people to both sell and buy antiques from the comfort of their own homes, and from the most remote places in the world, making the business truly accessible to everyone.
Do you attend fairs? If so which?
I love art fairs, both those that relate to antiques and interiors. I try to attend Frieze and Frieze Masters, Masterpiece, The Affordable Art Fair, 1:54, LAPADA and the Chelsea Antiques and Fine Art Fair, on this month.
Do you have a favourite reference book?
The David Khalili series of publications on Islamic arts, which is a fantastic and informative reference series, and past auction catalogues.
What is your favourite non-antiques activity?
I love spending time in nature and going for long hikes and walks at the weekend when I have the opportunity. I also love travelling and exploring different parts of the world and learning about different cultures.
What would improve the quality of your life?
Mindfulness and meditation. The auction world is such a fast-paced and demanding place. I have many deadlines to meet and it is important to try to pause and really enjoy what I am doing.
The pleasure of working and looking at such a range of beautiful art works helps me to be present and really take in how lucky I am to be handling such remarkable pieces of history on a daily basis.
Christie’s Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds, including Rugs and Carpets sale takes place on March 31, for more details go to www.christies.com
An Auctioneer’s Lot
Charles Hanson ponders why a magnificent kimono, movie magic and George Formby could prove to be a winning combination this month
Textiles may not leap to the forefront of your brain when contemplating antiques and collectables, but they consistently weave auction magic. For example, last year a fulllength Qing dynasty court robe, probably Qianlong period, sold for £10,000 to a Chinese buyer. I was reminded of that sale when another Oriental-inspired robe swept into our saleroom. But this time the highly-decorated garment is set to attract bidders for different reasons. It was worn in a film more than 80 years ago by legendary British entertainer George Formby (1904-1961).
Flocking fans
The ukulele man from Lancashire, who wooed the nation with his comedy films and songs in the 1930s and ‘40s, wore the striking black and gold kimono in the 1941 black and white film South American George. How an item like this reaches the saleroom more than 60 years later is fascinating to ponder. In this case, we have two George Formby super fans to thank.
The kimono has been treasured for nearly 30 years by Leicester man Derrick Pearce, known as Banjo Dez in his home city. At the age of 80, he still performs Formby songs at care homes, accompanied by his trusty ukulele. He inherited it from his father, a fellow Formby superfan aptly named George who bought it at the Beryldene Auction in St Anne’s, near Blackpool, in 1961 – a sale which saw countless Formby items sold off to fans following the star’s death at the age of 56 that year.
Left George Formby wearing the kimono in the 1941 film South American George
Below Derrick Pearce dons the George Formby kimono to play his ukulele. Credit Leicester Mercury
Below right The kimono is decorated with gold floral motifs
Contested will
Beryldene was the last home of George Formby and wife Beryl. The auction took place because George’s family opposed his final will. Beryl died three months before George but, just before his death, the entertainer became engaged to a teacher called Pat Howson to whom he left almost the entire Formby fortune. Nothing was spared from the auctioneer’s gavel in the three-day sale– even George’s underpants. And it just so happens Derrick owns a pair of those too, which also made their way to Leicester along with the kimono.
Derrick took the garments to Antiques Roadshow in 2002 where they were valued at £10,000. We are guiding them at £6,000-£8,000 at this month’s sale along with a one-piece swimming costume, possibly worn by Formby in the film Trouble Brewing in 1939, which has an estimate of £500-£800.
Formby fan base
It’s difficult to predict how well the items will do. Formby still has a hardcore of devoted fans. The George Formby Society meets annually to share their love for the Wiganborn star. Formby-related items generally do well at Hansons. For example, a banjolele owned by him and once sought after by the Beatle George Harrison made £28,500. But music and film memorabilia passions move with the times. New generations emerge looking to buy items relating to stars from their teenage years. In his day Formby was the UK’s highest-paid entertainer but today few people under 40 have heard of him.
That’s sad to dwell on for fans like Derrick. Both he and his father have entertained countless people with their take on the Formby magic. During the WWII both George Formby and George Pearce were part of ENSA (Entertainments National Service Association) performing Formby songs for the troops.
It’s hard for Derrick to part with the kimono. It’s extra special because, as he points out, there are several Formby ukuleles in existence but only one kimono.
The Formby lots go under the hammer at Hansons’ music and film memorabilia auction on March 28, for more details go to www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk
