Recently discovered Masterpiece of Islamic Art: Fatimid Ewer to be housed in Berlin

BERLIN.- The discovery of this intricately crafted rock crystal ewer recently caused a sensation on the British art market. The priceless object first made a stir in the press for being a ‘sleeper’, after being originally priced between ₤100 to ₤200 and mistaken by a smaller auction house for a French claret jug. At that initial auction it went on to fetch some ₤220,000. Evidently among the bidders that day were a few Islamic art experts, who rightly recognized the ewer’s true worth as an exceptionally rare and valuable rock crystal vessel from Egypt.

-snip- When the priceless object went up for auction for the second time, at Christie’s in October 2008, it was thought that it would go for between ₤10 and ₤15 million. Speculation mounted as to whether the Aga Khan, a descendant of the Fatimids, would purchase it …

via Recently Discovered Masterpiece of Islamic Art to Go on View at the Pergamon Museum.