ArtDayMe : The fifth edition of the Baran Auction, specializing in calligraphy, Iranian and Islamic art, concluded with 86% of the works offered successfully sold, achieving total sales of 369.06 billion tomans (approximately $1.367 million). The highest-priced work of the auction was hammered down at 79 billion tomans (approximately $292,593).

According to the Baran Auction's Public Relations Office, the fifth edition of the Baran Auction, dedicated to Iranian and Islamic art, opened on Tuesday, October 27, following a seven-year hiatus, with a public exhibition of the works at the Rayzan International Conference Center. The auction concluded on the evening of Friday, October 30, recording total sales of 369.06 billion tomans (approximately $1,366,888).

At this edition, the masterpiece Sukht-e Charm (Leather Engraving), by master Mirza Agha Emami, became the auction's top-selling work, achieving 79 billion tomans (approximately $292,593).

In its fifth edition, Baran Auction presented 69 distinguished, documented works by 53 prominent artists, alongside historically significant artifacts, as part of its commitment to introducing and enhancing the civilizational value of Iranian art. Ultimately, 59 works were sold in a competitive, transparent and professional environment to collectors and enthusiasts of Iranian and Islamic art, achieving a combined total of 369.06 billion tomans (approximately $1,366,888). The event aimed to further strengthen investment in culture and the arts.

At this edition, Sukht-e Charm by Mirza Agha Emami, carrying a starting price of 65 billion tomans (approximately $240,741), attracted considerable interest and intense bidding before being hammered down at 79 billion tomans (approximately $292,593).

The second most valuable work was the exquisite painting A Royal Audience: The Safavid King Meeting the Indian King, by Mohammad-Ali ibn Aqa Najaf Naqqash-bashi, which achieved 57 billion tomans (approximately $211,111), securing the second-highest price of the auction.

The third top-selling work was a Seljuk Qur'an, an important historical and artistic document, which sold for 45 billion tomans (approximately $166,667).

 

The fourth outstanding work was an Ottoman gold-thread embroidered curtain bearing the tughra of Sultan Mahmud II, which was hammered down at 37 billion tomans (approximately $137,037).

Among the most exciting and closely watched sales of the fifth Baran Auction were works by masters Mahmoud Farshchian, Reza Mafi and two works by Sadegh Tabrizi, which brought the auction room to a peak of excitement:

 

* The Third Feather, by Mahmoud Farshchian: 19.5 billion tomans (approximately $72,222).

* A work from Sadegh Tabrizi's Horses series, whose image has been reproduced on Tehran's Chamran Expressway: 16.5 billion tomans (approximately $61,111).

* A work from Sadegh Tabrizi's Riders or Lovers series: 12 billion tomans (approximately $44,444).

* A raised calligraphy-painting by Reza Mafi: 11 billion tomans (approximately $40,741).

 

In support of different levels and disciplines of art and calligraphy, valuable works such as Siyah Mashq by Mohammad Hossein Tehrani, a royal decree issued by Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, and a line of Nastaliq calligraphy with gold illumination attributed to Mirza Mohammad-Kazem Tehrani (Mirza Kazem) each sold for 320 million tomans (approximately $1,185), attracting buyers' interest.

 

_ Details of Other Sales: Calligraphy, Miniature Painting and Handicrafts at the 5th Baran Auction

The results of the other works offered at the fifth specialized Baran Auction are as follows:

1\. Jawhar-e Qalam (Verse of Ayat al-Kursi, “Wa In Yakad”), by Mehdi Mousavi: 750 million tomans (approximately $2,778).

2\. Golzar Calligraphy (Nasr min Allah wa Fath Qarib), by Agha Hossein: 1.9 billion tomans (approximately $7,037).

3\. A Calligraphic Passage Featuring Ethical Sayings, by Abolqasem Esfahani: 550 million tomans (approximately $2,037).

4\. Siyah Mashq, by Mohammad Hossein Tehrani: 320 million tomans (approximately $1,185).

5\. Royal Decree of Mohammad Shah Qajar: 400 million tomans (approximately $1,481).

6\. Royal Decree of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar I: 550 million tomans (approximately $2,037).

7\. Royal Decree of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar II: 320 million tomans (approximately $1,185).

8\. Royal Decree of Naser al-Din Shah Qajar III: 600 million tomans (approximately $2,222).

9\. An important handwritten document by Qa'em-Maqam Farahani: 1 billion tomans (approximately $3,704).

10\. Seljuk Qur'an — dating from the late Seljuk period, written in Muhaqqaq script and bearing evidence of historical restoration, reflecting the sustained commitment of Iranians to preserving their Qur'anic heritage: 45 billion tomans (approximately $166,667).

11\. Zad al-Ma'ad, a book of prayers, by Mohammad Hassan Esfahani: 750 million tomans (approximately $2,778).

12\. A rare and valuable manuscript of Masnavi-ye Ma'navi, by Shams al-Din Ali Katib Shirazi: 13 billion tomans (approximately $48,148).

13\. Maqtal, by Abd al-Nabi Shirazi: 3.1 billion tomans (approximately $11,481).

14\. Index of Fifteen Qur'anic Surahs, by Ebrahim Zarrin-Qalam Shirazi: 700 million tomans (approximately $2,593).

15\. A calligraphic panel by Sultan Mohammad Esfahani: 1.55 billion tomans (approximately $5,741).

16\. A line of Nastaliq calligraphy with gold illumination, attributed to Mirza Mohammad-Kazem Tehrani: 320 million tomans (approximately $1,185).

17\. A polychrome calligraphic panel by Mirza Abolqasem Farhang Shirazi: 2.1 billion tomans (approximately $7,778).

18\. A Shekasteh Nastaliq calligraphic panel by Mohammad Qasem (Mirza Kuchak): 950 million tomans (approximately $3,519).

19\. A calligraphic panel by Mirza Fathollah Shirazi: 700 million tomans (approximately $2,593).

20\. A Siyah Mashq calligraphic panel by Mirza Ahmad Shamlou Mashhadi: 1.1 billion tomans (approximately $4,074).

21\. The Icon of Imam Ali, by Ebrahim Zarrin-Qalam: 1.4 billion tomans (approximately $5,185).

22\. The Icon of the Commander of the Faithful, by an unknown artist: 1.4 billion tomans (approximately $5,185).

23\. A miniature painting and calligraphy work, by an unknown artist: 380 million tomans (approximately $1,407).

24\. Girl with a Rifle, by an unknown artist: 490 million tomans (approximately $1,815).

25\. Mohr (Seal), by Yar Mohammad Khan Kermanshahi: 2.1 billion tomans (approximately $7,778).

26\. Sukht-e Charm (Leather Engraving), by Mirza Agha Emami: 79 billion tomans (approximately $292,593).

27\. An Ottoman gold-thread embroidered curtain bearing the tughra of Sultan Mahmud II, decorated with Qur'anic inscriptions and combining Islamic and European artistic traditions: 37 billion tomans (approximately $137,037).

28\. A Royal Audience: The Safavid King Meeting the Indian King, by Mohammad-Ali ibn Aqa Najaf Naqqash-bashi, a distinguished example of Qajar-period lacquer painting: 57 billion tomans (approximately $211,111).

29\. A Chalipa calligraphic panel by Hazrat Mir Emad: 3.6 billion tomans (approximately $13,333).

30\. A calligraphic panel by Alireza Abbasi, the renowned calligrapher of the Safavid court, reproduced in the book Atlas of Calligraphy: 10.5 billion tomans (approximately $38,889).

31\. Two lines of Nastaliq calligraphy by Ahmad ibn Shams al-Din Mohammad Neyrizi and Ala al-Din Tabrizi: 2.6 billion tomans (approximately $9,630).

32\. A Shekasteh Nastaliq calligraphic work by Darvish Abd al-Majid Mehrani Taleqani: 3.1 billion tomans (approximately $11,481).

33\. A calligraphic panel by Mohammad Ali Qorbani: 410 million tomans (approximately $1,519).

34\. Qadr-e Omr, by master Yadollah Kaboli Khansari: 850 million tomans (approximately $3,148).

35\. A Tumar (calligraphic scroll), by master Amir Ahmad Falsafi: 1.8 billion tomans (approximately $6,667).

36\. A calligraphic panel by master Ali-Ashraf Sanduqabadi: 1.1 billion tomans (approximately $4,074).

37\. A calligraphic panel by master Keykhosrow Khoroush: 650 million tomans (approximately $2,407).

38\. A Chalipa calligraphic panel by master Mohammad Salehshour: 370 million tomans (approximately $1,370).

39\. A Chalipa calligraphic panel by master Fath-Ali Vashqani Farahani: 340 million tomans (approximately $1,259).

40\. A calligraphic panel by master Amir Ahmad Falsafi: 1.4 billion tomans (approximately $5,185).

41\. Verse 184 of Surah Al-Baqarah, by master Ahmad Abdolrezaei: 850 million tomans (approximately $3,148).

42\. Ayat al-Kursi, by master Mohammad Ali Qorbani: 750 million tomans (approximately $2,778).

43\. A calligraphic panel by master Keykhosrow Khoroush: 550 million tomans (approximately $2,037).

44\. A calligraphic panel by Alireza Bakhshi: 440 million tomans (approximately $1,630).

45\. A calligraphic panel by master Ali-Ashraf Sanduqabadi: 750 million tomans (approximately $2,778).

46\. The Tree Has Put Forth Its Buds..., by Mohammad-Ali Gorgestani: 650 million tomans (approximately $2,407).

47\. A calligraphic panel by Alireza Kadkhodaei: 320 million tomans (approximately $1,185).

48\. Moragha-ye Ameli, by Amir-Hossein Ameli: 1.8 billion tomans (approximately $6,667).

49\. A Tehran lacquer carpet, produced by the Master Asghar workshop: 4.8 billion tomans (approximately $17,778).

50\. A Khwajeh Carpet, by Mohammad-Ali Khwajeh: 3.2 billion tomans (approximately $11,852).

51\. A calligraphy-painting by master Mohammad Ehsai: 8.2 billion tomans (approximately $30,370).

52\. A work from master Sadegh Tabrizi's Horses series: 16.5 billion tomans (approximately $61,111).

53\. A raised calligraphy-painting by master Reza Mafi: 11 billion tomans (approximately $40,741).

54\. A work from master Sadegh Tabrizi's Riders or Lovers series: 12 billion tomans (approximately $44,444).

55\. A calligraphy-painting by master Mehdi Fallah: 800 million tomans (approximately $2,963).

56\. A calligraphy-painting by Azra Haghighi Bakhshayesh: 1.7 billion tomans (approximately $6,296).

57\. Verse 163 of Surah Al-Imran, by master Gholamreza Mahrouei: 1 billion tomans (approximately $3,704).

58\. A calligraphy-painting by Mehr Yaqub Sangtarash: 900 million tomans (approximately $3,333).

59\. Love, by master Hadi Roshan-Zamir: 2.2 billion tomans (approximately $8,148).

60\. The distinguished work The Third Feather, a tribute to master Mahmoud Farshchian: 19.5 billion tomans (approximately $72,222).

 

 

_ Brief Remarks by Mahboubeh Kazemi, Founder and Director of Baran Auction

 

A few minutes after the conclusion of the fifth edition, Mahboubeh Kazemi, founder and director of Baran Auction, spoke briefly with journalists attending the event, highlighting three key points:

1\. Expanding the Scope of Iranian Art In its fifth edition, Baran Auction continued its commitment to preserving Iran's authentic calligraphic heritage and honoring distinguished masters such as Mir Emad, Darvish Abd al-Majid Taleqani and Alireza Abbasi, while also expanding its activities into the field of Persian miniature painting (Negargari).

2\. A Tribute to Mahmoud Farshchian At this event, the symbolic work The Third Feather, inspired by the mythological Simurgh and its associations with awareness, hope and cultural renewal, occupied a special place. The entire process of organizing and presenting this work was dedicated to the name and memory of master Mahmoud Farshchian, the enduring and distinguished figure of Iranian miniature painting, in recognition of a lifetime of artistic achievement.

3\. A Cultural and Economic Vision for the Future  With an approach rooted in authenticity, culture, research and responsibility, Baran Auction has established the promotion, development and consolidation of art grounded in Iranian and Islamic values as its primary objective.

Drawing on international experience, specialized economic research and the creation of synergies among artists, experts and collectors, the auction seeks to strengthen the foundations of the art economy, expand cultural opportunities and play a lasting and influential role at both national and international levels.