Introducing Dr. Isabelle Imbert and the Take 5 chosen by her from the upcoming

Antiquities, Islamic & Indian Art auction taking place on Friday 28 April.

 

Isabelle Imbert is a highly experienced Islamic Art specialist who has spent over a decade working with top clients and institutions in the industry. She has established a reputation as a respected researcher, teacher, writer, art market expert, and speaker. Additionally, she is the host of the newly-formed 'ART Informant' podcast. With her extensive knowledge of both the art market and the academic world, she is passionate about all things related to Islamic Art History and enjoys bringing people together to discuss the beauty of Islamic Art.

You can explore her blog, work, and services, listen to the ‘ART Informant’ podcast or read her interview for Bayt al-Fann to learn more about her.

 

Lot 92: A folio from the Ardeshir album, Ladies bathing, Provincial Mughal, Lucknow, circa 1780

 

"Lot 92, my top choice, is a bit of an enigma in the world of art history. I am particularly drawn to this page for its floral margins, which are characteristic of the so-called Ardeshir album that was sold in 1973. Several pages, like this one, were not part of the Ardeshir album but have the same margins, meaning that the volume was initially bigger. We don’t know exactly what the album looked like so seeing a new page appear on the market is exciting”. 

 

Lot 94: A lady writer with hookah, Pahari school, Kanrga or Guler, North India, mid-19th century 

 

“My second choice is lot 94 and also my favourite Indian painting in the entire auction. The execution of this painting is masterful; very elegant and peaceful”.

 

Lot 236: An illustrated and illuminated leaf from a manuscript of Firdausi's Shahnameh, depicting Horsemen in Combat, Persia

 

“I picked Lot 236 as my third choice as the painting depicts the fight between Nowzar and Afrasiyab and it is remarkable for the movement given to the scene, with characters galloping toward each other at full speed”.

 

Lot 330: Juz 24 of a Chinese Qur'an, 60ff 

 

"My fourth choice, the Chinese Qur'an manuscript, is an incredibly vibrant work, featuring specific illuminations and Arabic script. It caught my eye for its incredible marginal decorations of large flowery plants and the two amazing pagodas, which I’ve never seen before”.

 

Lot 88: A large silver-gilt throne armchair, India, late 19th century

 

"Finally, my last pick might be a bit controversial. This is the kind of piece you either love or hate, there is no in-between. Between the European design and the opulent ornamentation, this chair really illustrates the hybridisation of styles that developed in colonial India".