ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I would like to thank Ms. Hülya Bilgi whose wonderful publication, Motif from the Sadberk Hanım Museum Collection -co-authored by Professor Turgut Saner and Ms. Şebnem Eryavuz- inspired us for the concept of our stand at TEFAF Maastricht 2023, titled: “MotifsinIslamicArt:ASearchforEternity”.

We are indebted to many distinguished experts and scholars for their assistance during the preparation of this catalogue. Special thanks are due to Dr. Julian Raby who has generously shared his opinion on various matters, and Ms. Mina Moraitou of the Benaki Museum, Athens, for kindly permitting us to use a photograph of the 1925 Alexandria Islamic Art exhibition (Exposition d’Art Musulman) from their archive. We are also grateful to Persian and Indian miniature painting specialist Ms. Margaret Erskine for preparing the material we have used in the catalogue entry of the illustrated folio from Hafiz Abru’s Majma‘ al-Tawarikh and the Mughal miniature painting titled AConqueror,Possibly Alexander the Great. I also would like to thank Ms. Nahla Nassar and Dr. Qaisra Khan for helping us acquire detailed photographs of the Ottoman enamelled dagger and scabbard (Accession No. JLY 1748) in the Professor Sir Nasser D. Khalili Collection which we have compared to our enamelled dagger and scabbard.

I would also like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to my brother Dr. Bora Keskiner who did extensive research and wrote the texts. The effective presentation of the art works would not have been possible without the participation of Mr. Peter Keenan, Mr. Richard Harris, and fine art photographer Mr. Richard Valencia.

Mehmet Keskiner Director

Preface

This year, we prepared a very special exhibition for TEFAF Maastricht 2023, titled “MotifsinIslamicArt:ASearchforEternity” which is accompanied by this catalogue specially designed and authored according to this concept. The concept is based on demonstrating the extraordinary richness and variety of motifs in Islamic art and explaining their meaning and historical background through the art works in this catalogue.

For this concept we were inspired by a wonderful publication, titled Motif from the Sadberk Hanım Museum Collection, written by Ms. Hülya Bilgi, Professor Turgut Saner and Ms. Şebnem Eryavuz, published in 2020 by the Sadberk Hanım Museum, Istanbul, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the museum’s foundation.

We will exhibit, between 11-19 March 2023, selected works of art decorated with some of the most interesting and significant motifs used in Islamic art. Each different motif on each piece is highlighted in its catalogue entry with its drawing to emphasize its shape. To create a solid conceptual framework, information has been provided about each motif’s historical background and symbolic meaning.

Our selection includes fine and rare examples of Abbasid Qur’an folios in kufic script written on vellum, Iznik ceramics, an early Mamluk silver-inlaid brass candlestick, an illustrated folio from the Timurid historian Hafiz Abru’s Majma‘al-Tawarikh, a Mughal imperial-quality jade pendant bearing the Throne Verse (Ayat al-Kursi) from the Qur’an, an Ottoman gem-set brooch with the imperial coat of arms, a 17th century Safavid bowl decorated with King Khusraw and Princess Shirin, hunting and sufi scenes; a Qajar painting of “APersianNobleLadyasanAcrobat

PerformingaHandstand” associated with Fath ‘Ali Shah’s (r. 1797-1834) patronage, as well as rare and important examples of Islamic textiles and metalwork. At our stand, we will also exhibit selected paintings by renowned Orientalist painters such as Gianantonio Guardi and Antonie-Ignace Melling.

Kent Antiques is a leading art gallery specializing in Islamic and Indian works of art & Orientalist paintings. The company’s clients include leading world museums, major institutions as well as private collectors. All works of art offered by Kent Antiques is ethically obtained from national and international private collections and trade. Besides the quality and condition, one of our primary concerns is the provenance of the artworks we offer. The provenance of every single piece is checked. We try to obtain as much information and/or documentation as possible from previous owners to support the provenance and make sure none of the artworks were exported from their country of origin in recent years. The authenticity of every single work of art offered for sale is guaranteed and certificate of authenticity is provided on request. Utmost attention is paid to provide genuine art works of highest quality in good condition. The company is active since 1997, in South Kensington, London. Kent Antiques is a member of BADA Organisation and SNA France.

I am delighted to present collectors and museums our TEFAF Maastricht 2023 selection which has been gathered with extreme care for their quality, provenance and condition.

If you need any further information, I will be happy to oblige.

Mehmet Keskiner Director

North Africa or Near East 9th ‒ 10th Century

Dimensions: 23 x 32.7 cm.