Egyptian art treasures up for grabs

Rare art from the Middle East and Turkey is expected to fetch millions of dirhams at an auction in Dubai.

The sale on October 26 will feature pieces from Egypt, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Iran as well as works from the Farsi collection, one of the most comprehensive groupings of modern Egyptian art.

"We are delighted to have been entrusted with the great private collection of Egyptian art," said Michael Jeha, the managing director of Christie's Dubai. That "has in turn attracted a wealth of individual collectors ... to consign other significant works to this, our ninth sale series in the Middle East. I believe this is one of Christie's richest sales yet in terms of its diversity and rarity."

As part of the Farsi collection, 30 works will be offered, including paintings by some of Egypt's most famous 20th century artists, such as Mahmoud Said, Raghed Ayad and Hamed Nada.

Lebanese art will be represented by three works from the studio of Chafic Abboud, including Premiers Gestes, painted in 1992, which has an estimated value of US$70,000 (Dh260,000) to $100,000.

As part of the Iranian collection, Mohammed Ehsai's 2009 monochrome design, Banquet, is estimated to fetch up to $500,000. There will be eight works represented in the Syrian section, and the artist Fahrelnissa Zeid will be represented in the Turkish works.