An artwork created by acclaimed artist Mahmoud Farschian in 1972, sold for $160,000, higher than its base price of $102,000 to $147,000, at the second Iranian National Traditional Art Auction in Tehran on Friday.
The auction fetched a total of $1.4 million for 70 masterpieces, Mehr News Agency reported.
The highest base price of $220,000 to $280,000 was fixed for a painting by Mirza Aqa Emami, Isfahani painter, but it was left unsold.
The second most expensive artwork was a 160cm handmade ship and was estimated at $220,000 to $280,000, but went under the hammer for $106,000.
In addition, another painting created in 1863 was sold for $103,000, the third most expensive work. Painter Aydin Aghdashloo’s work fetched $58,000.
Eight items went under the hammer for between $35,000 and $53,000 and other art works were sold for less than $29,000.
Atila Pesyani, renowned Iranian actor and Amin Ziaei, conducted the auction.
Over 60 foreign art collectors and specialists participated in the event for both purchasing and getting familiar with Iranian traditional works of art.
Organized by the private sector, the auction included 76 works of painting, calligraphy, manuscripts and handicrafts by veteran Iranian artists, attracting representatives from 10 foreign countries including Turkey, Qatar and Jordan.
Artworks were displayed in an exhibition for two days prior to the auction at Rayzan International Conference Center in northern Tehran.
