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45
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45. 45R A group of three Kashan lustre moulded pottery star …
45
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45. 45R A group of three Kashan lustre moulded pottery star …
Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
Voluntary lot
Description
45. 45R A group of three Kashan lustre moulded pottery star tiles
Persia, 13th/ early 14th Century
each with eight points, decorated in cobalt blue, turquoise and a brownish gold lustre on a cream ground with central panels containing pairs of gazelles, the borders with inscriptions in naskhi, one with signature to corner
each approx. 21 cm wide(3)
Provenance
Acquired by Baron Leon Rolin 'The Lion of Cairo' (1871-1950) or his daughter, Jacqueline Rolin (1902-1975) and thence by descent.
Inscriptions: to borders of tiles, opening lines of Ferdowsi's Shahnameh and quatrains attributed to Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi; signature to one tile, undeciphered.
Leon Rolin (1871-1950), nicknamed 'The Lion of Cairo', was the owner of contracting firm Leon Rolin & Co, one of the two largest civil contractors in Egypt. The firm was charged with construction of the Heliopolis Palace Hotel, later the presidential palace of the Mubarak administration.
The Heliopolis Palace Hotel was an ambitious project, built in the open desert between 1908-1910, and opening as Africa's most luxurious hotel on December 1st 1910. During the construction and inspired by their surroundings, his wife, Madeleine Shaar (1876-1954) started a collection of Islamic art. His daughter Jacqueline continued to avidly collect and was present at the auction of the contents of the Royal Palace of King Farouk. She later returned to Belgium and distributed her rich collection amongst her children and their descendants.
Important Notice to Buyers
Some countries, e.g., the US, prohibit or restrict the purchase by its citizens (wherever located) and/or the import of certain types of works of particular origins. As a convenience to buyers, Bonhams has marked with the symbol R all lots of Iranian (Persian), Syrian or Afghan origin. It is each buyer's responsibility to ensure that they do not bid on or import a lot in contravention of the sanctions or trade embargoes that apply to them.
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