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Mughal Masterpiece Sells for 4.8x Estimate!
20 Oct
Summary
- Mughal album page sold for £571,500, exceeding expectations.
- Artwork features a courtier and calligraphy signed in 1608-09.
- Piece was part of a larger collection that sold for over £5 million.
A rare Mughal-era album page, dating back to 1608-09, achieved a remarkable price of £571,500 at a recent London auction. The page showcases a detailed portrait of a courtier holding a book, attributed to the artist Manohar, alongside calligraphy signed by Abdullah al-Husayni.
This exquisite artwork was part of The Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection of Indian Paintings and Calligraphy, which saw a total sale of £5,278,882. The collection's success was notable, with all 84 lots sold, demonstrating strong market interest in historical art.
The album page's provenance includes ownership by a British baron by 1937 and several subsequent auction appearances. Its journey culminated in this significant sale on April 28, 2026, where it significantly outperformed its £80,000 to £120,000 estimate.
Further details indicate the page's historical context, with Abdullah al-Husayni's signature and date found on other significant Mughal works. This suggests the page was part of a broader tradition of creating elaborate albums combining artistic and literary elements.
