14/06/2025 General News
From silk robes to rugs and parasol covers, Azca is proud to offer a diverse range of textile pieces - from Palestine, Turkiye, Iran and beyond- in our upcoming sale: Arts of India and the Islamic Lands.
These pieces will all be on view at our premises at 188R Hammersmith Road from Friday June 13th until the sale, commencing at 12pm on Thursday June 19th.
The geographic expanse of India and the Islamic Lands offers an endless array of textile styles and techniques, and a brief selection of important lots soon to be offered in Azca’s June 19th sale demonstrates this well…
(Lot 269 - £400 - £600)
This finely embroidered sleeveless coat, traditionally known as a jillayeh or durra, is made from handwoven line, hand-dyed a deep shade of indigo and richly ornamented with multicoloured coloured silk embroidery in the characteristic kassaba stitch. The coat exemplifies Palestinian embroidery produced in the late Ottoman period, and is a style of garment worn at ceremonial gatherings by Palestinian Christian and Muslim women alike.
(Lot 275 - £800 - £1200)
Covered with auspicious Hindu symbols such as birds and swastikas, this parasol cover is richly embroidered throughout, to its border trimmed with a fringe of gold thread. These symbols united together form a striking combination of of North Indian courtly and regional folk elements, reflecting the opulent textile traditions of India.
(Lot 275 - £300 - £500)
Handwoven in wool, this type of rug belongs to a small group of Jewish prayer rugs made in Ottoman Anatolia, often in villages with mixed Muslim and Jewish populations. Here the decoration features a menorah-like stylised candelabrum in pale blue and white, while the main border contains star-like motifs in alternating colours and a Hebrew inscription reading אנכי (“Anochi”, “I am [the Lord]”) is woven into the top band in cream wool against a red field; a reference to the Ten Commandments. Perhaps most interestingly, the design merges Islamic architectural models of the prayer niche with Jewish liturgical iconography, resulting in a syncretic Anatolian textile tradition, likely woven for use in a synagogue or private prayer setting.
(Lot 270 - £1,800 - £2,200)
The embroidery technique featured in this elegant set of a bridal robe and hat involves using a thick metal-wrapped thread which is laid upon the fabric and secured with finer thread around it.
This style, named dival, was widely popular in Ottoman bridal attire - typically forming dense floral motifs, and creating a striking and luxurious aesthetic well suited to the ceremonial importance of a high-status wedding. Here especially, the metallic gold matches well with the rich, deep purple velvet beneath.
(Lot 277 - £800 - £1,200)
This cotton panel is decorated by a design, both woodblock printed and hand-painted onto its surface, creating a dense pattern of stylised floral sprays and borders filled with cypress trees. Architectural motifs feature also, with arched mihrab-shaped niches, and spandrels crowned with a row of stylised finials resembling minarets.
(Lot 271 - £200 - £400)
The bright, warm tangerine-hued material of this traditional outer robe (aba) is decorated with linear motifs in ivory and contrasting black, green, lilac, and gold stripes, its construction featuring visible hand stiching. This style, cut in a square silhouette with open sides and a front slit, is typical of mid-century Levantine tailoring.
All pictured lots will feature in our June 19th sale, Arts of India and the Islamic Lands. The sale will be on view at our premises at 188R Hammersmith Road from Friday June 13th until the sale, commencing at 12pm on Thursday June 19th .
For condition reports, or any enquires regarding the sale, reach out to Head of Department Beatrice Campi at beatrice@azcaauctions.com.