A wealth of antiques from France and the Ottoman Empire were recently displayed in Jeddah at an exhibit where visitors could become buyers. The 17th and 19th centuries were periods of fine-art development in the Ottoman Empire and France.
Some of the artistic furniture and antiques of those periods are now owned by Saudi businessmen interested in collecting — and apparently also interested in selling.
In an exhibit organized by the Charity Warehouse last week (Oct. 5-12) called “Offering and Owning,” 3,000 rare pieces were displayed with prices ranging from SR5,000 to SR17 million.
“An auction to sell these pieces was supposed to be held; however, the auction was canceled, and the pieces were sold by fixed price,” organizer Rana Al-Murabet told Arab News. “The earnings will be donated to the poor.”
On display were salons and offices from the Ottoman Period that belonged to Egyptian pashas, including Talaat Pasha’s office. Coins from different reigns, carpets and Bohemian glassware also were displayed. Ornamental French furniture also was displayed, including Napoleon Bonaparte’s desk, piano and chandelier. The desk was constructed of polished wood adorned with paintings of forest and riverbank scenes. The French exhibits generally were distinguished by their bright colors and gold ornamentation, especially for the glasswork; whereas Oriental and Ottoman furniture and pieces are well known by the dark brown engravings in the style of Islamic art.
The most expensive exhibits were the five, 150-year-old curtains that were hung at the doors of Prophet Muhammed’s (peace be upon him) mosque during the Ottoman Empire. Charity Warehouse manager Saud Feleet said they were priced at SR12 million and were placed on reserve by one of the buyers.
