Art News

Bonhams offers a rare and unique Zand Dynasty 18th century Persian gilded celestial Globe

LONDON.- Bonhams is to auction a rare and unique Zand Dynasty (1751-1794) gilded celestial Globe dated 1190AH/1776AD at its next sale of Indian and Islamic art on October 4th in New Bond Street. It is estimated to sell for £40,000 to £60,000. Passed down through a private English family, the finely engraved globe contains the position of 83 stars and their Persian names as well as the Persian names for the North and South Poles. The only known dated example securely attributable to the Zand period, it is an important addition to the small surviving group of Persian celestial globes. The use of gold and the very fine script indicate the possibility that this globe was made for the Zand ruler Mohammad Karim Khan Zand (1751-1779). The Zand period is remarkable for its short