Tehran Auction Unveils 100 Masterpieces of Classical Iranian Art
The 22nd Tehran Auction is set to take the spotlight, showcasing a remarkable collection of contemporary Iranian art, traditional masterpieces, and classical works. This prestigious event highlights the rich history and vibrant culture of Iranian art, featuring 100 exceptional pieces that illustrate its evolution over the centuries.
As the demand for Islamic art auctions grows globally, the export of invaluable historical Iranian artworks has intensified. The public relations office of the Tehran Auction announced this trend in a recent press release, indicating that the auction is responding to the increasing interest in Iranian art both locally and internationally.
To combat the challenges posed by a largely opaque market for traditional and classical Iranian art, the Tehran Auction is presenting a unique collection that spans various artistic disciplines, including:
- Paintings
- Calligraphy
- Manuscript writing
- Pictorial carpets
- Modern Iranian artworks
Over the past decade, the Tehran Auction has focused on stabilizing the pricing of contemporary artworks while fostering a thriving art market within Iran. This initiative not only enhances the status of collectors but also contributes positively to the Iranian art economy.
This year’s auction aims to compile works from various centuries of Iranian art, with a focus on:
- Stabilizing prices for traditional and classical pieces
- Preventing illegal exports of these artworks to foreign markets
- Aggregating historical Iranian art for local appreciation
The 22nd Tehran Auction will display a diverse collection of 100 artworks, showcasing pieces that date from the Safavid era to modern times. This exhibition has been meticulously curated, reflecting a deep understanding of Iran’s visual history over the last four centuries.
Among the highlights of the painting section are works by the renowned Safavid-era artist Reza Abbasi. The auction traces the evolution of this art form through the works of his students, including:
- Moein Mosavar
- Mohammad Qassem
- Mohammad Yousef
Additionally, pieces from the Zand and Qajar periods will be featured, showcasing artists like:
- Aqa Najaf Esfahani
- Aqa Sadeq
- Mohammad Hassan Afshar Urumi
This year’s auction also includes works from students of the Kamal-ol-Molk school, such as:
- Ali Mohammad Heydarian
- Hossein Sheikh
Modernist artists like Hossein Kazemi and Ahmad Esfandiari will also be represented, creating an unparalleled offering that appeals to art collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The calligraphy section features works that span from the Timurid period to contemporary times, showcasing the endurance of this art form throughout Iran’s history. Notable calligraphers included in the collection are:
- Darvish Abdolmajid Taleqani
- Mirza Gholamreza Esfahani
- Esmaeil Astarabadi
- Mir Hossein Khoshnevisbashi
Contemporary masters of Iranian calligraphy, such as:
- Gholam-Hossein Amirkhani
- Yadollah Kabuli
- Abbas Akhavein
- Keykhosro Khorush
will also have their works showcased in this section.
Furthermore, the auction will present pictorial carpets and lacquered boxes, which represent a significant segment of Iranian visual art. These pieces embody the narrative of Iranian pictorial history through woven forms and practical items.
Another fascinating aspect of this auction will be the ancient art of Iranian toreutics, which holds a prestigious place in major museums around the globe. This edition will present valuable examples from the Safavid, Qajar, and contemporary periods for interested collectors.
The 22nd Tehran Auction is scheduled for Friday, with art enthusiasts invited to view the exhibition at the Parsian Azadi Hotel in Tehran on February 12 and 13.
Last October, the 21st edition of the Tehran Auction achieved impressive success, concluding with total sales of 1.2 trillion rials (approximately $2 million). The online event saw 132 out of 140 artworks successfully sold, with 51 pieces exceeding their highest estimated bids. Notable sales included:
- An untitled piece by Monir Farmanfarmaian, which sold for 116 billion rials ($194,000)
- Aydin Aghdashloo’s “Summer, Winter” from the “Occidentals” series at 112 billion rials ($187,000)
- Reza Derakhshani’s “Counting Days and Nights, Every Day and Every Night,” which fetched 101 billion rials ($168,000)
Launched in 2012, the Tehran Auction was the first of its kind in Iran, created as an independent initiative to showcase the best of Iranian art. It aims to address the growing interest in modern and contemporary Iranian art while facilitating the acquisition of quality works in reliable and transparent ways.
With the upcoming auction, art collectors and enthusiasts alike can look forward to a remarkable celebration of Iranian artistry.
