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Expensive Calligraphies Sold at Tehran Auction

A work by Mohammad Hussein Shirazi
A work by Mohammad Hussein Shirazi

Baran Auction, the first special event on calligraphy masterpieces which concluded on September 30, collected 26 billion rials ($730,000).

Hosted by Espinas Hotel in central Tehran, the auction featured 66 Iranian calligraphy works from various periods as well as three works from Turkey and Lebanon.

Poet and humor writer Shahram Shakiba, 43, conducted the sale. The works were auctioned at a price tag 10% below the base price, Honaronline reported.

'In the Name of God' was the first calligraphy work that went under the hammer. A work by master of calligraphic painting Ali Shirazi, 55, it sold for 210 million rials ($5,870).

Among the featured works, four were sold at prices higher than 1 billion rials ($28,000). A masterpiece by Persian calligrapher Mir Emad Hassan (1554-1615) turned out to be the most expensive work at the event, going for 6 billion rials ($167,785).

Other works that received high bids were by 19th century master of Nastaliq style Mirza Mohammad Hussein Shirazi that fetched $117,450 and visual artist Reza Rinei, 47, which sold for $40,000. The work by master of calligraphy and painting Nasrollah Afjei, 82, sold for $30,000.

There was a set of four small calligraphies by prominent Persian calligrapher Mirza Mohammad Reza Kalhor, which fetched 440 million rials ($12,300). A work by poet and calligrapher Mirza Aqajan Isfahani alias Parto (1798-1885), went for $11,744 and one by master of Shikasta (broken) Nastaliq Mirza Kouchak Isfahani, (18-19 century) sold for $2,800.

A calligraphic painting was also auctioned on phone to an Italian bidder. It was painted by Salar Ahmadian, 58, who is known for his unique application of Persian calligraphy in paintings. The piece was bought for $11,185. Ahmadian's works have been sold at Christie's auctions and Art Expo sales in Kuwait.

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