RIYADH, 29 April 2004 — A major auction of Islamic and European art and antiques is to be held here on May 9 in aid of disabled children. This was announced here yesterday by Prince Sultan ibn Salman, chairman of the board of trustees of the Disabled Children’s Association which is organizing the sale. Items to go under the hammer will include artwork, ceramics, rare textiles, vases, old coins and stamps.
Prince Sultan hopes that the “Al Hadhara Auction” will raise several million riyals for the DCA. Many of the items in the sale have been provided by Saudi collectors specifically to help the charity.
The Islamic objects being offered are seen as particularly important. They include a unique incense burner in the form of a lion, dating from the 6th century. This rare piece of Islamic art, with a calligraphic collar-band around the neck of the beast, is estimated to sell for between SR1.5 million and SR1.8 million. Another rare item, estimated at SR1.15 million, is a large, 26.5 cm-high, bronze Persian goblet.
“The auction will also revive the national interest in preserving our heritage within the framework of the charitable work that distinguishes the Saudi society,” Prince Sultan said. He expressed his thanks to the contributing organizers, individuals and institutions for their efforts to make the event a prestigious one.
The sale, to be held at Faisaliyah Hall, will also be the first national auction of its kind, following a proposal to establish a national auction industry to promote and feature the rich cultural heritage of the Kingdom.
Dr. Khaleel ibn Ibrahim Al-Muaikel, head of the auction’s scientific committee, and Abdulwahab Al-Faiz, a committee member and editor in chief of Al-Eqtisadiah, a sister publication of Arab News, drew particular attention to the strong involvement of Saudi collectors who had agreed to contribute antiques and artwork. “This event is also the first well-organized auction of Islamic art in the country,” they said.
Dr. Al-Muaikel and Al-Faiz said that a quarter of SR15 to SR18 million generated by the auction will go to the DCA.
“This is an extremely important sale,” said Riyadh art dealer Faisal Al-Saadawy. “Any serious collector in the Kingdom is going to try and be there.”
Some 110 items will be sold at the auction. They include ornamental bowls from Damascus, medicinal bowls, and copper bowls. There will be a stamped silver vase with scenes depicting daily life in old Iran. Non-Islamic items include an antique pair of candlesticks and a pair of lamps from France. There is also a complete collection of bronze and silver coins from the 18th century. Two stamps albums with a collection spanning from the Kingdom’s unification to last year’s issues have been priced at SR145,000 each.
A catalogue of the Al-Hadhara Auction was published yesterday.
Buyers of any of the items will receive an official document and a registration certificate. The organizers of the auction will facilitate phone and commission bids on items provided prior arrangements are made, together with a bank guarantee.
