A 12 century key to the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest
site in Islam, has sold for 9.2 million pounds (18.2 million dollars),
setting a new record for an Islamic work of art at auction.
The Abbasid period key, made of iron and measuring 37 cm long, sold last Wednesday at Sotheby's in London in 2008 for more than 18 times its pre-sale estimate and was bought anonymously. It is the only known example to remain in private hands.
The key, one of the ultimate symbols of religious power, is engraved with the words: "This is what was made for the Holy House of God during the time of our lord the Imam son of Imam al-Muqtadi Abu Jaafar al-Mustansir Abu al-Abbas 573."
The Abbasid period key, made of iron and measuring 37 cm long, sold last Wednesday at Sotheby's in London in 2008 for more than 18 times its pre-sale estimate and was bought anonymously. It is the only known example to remain in private hands.
The key, one of the ultimate symbols of religious power, is engraved with the words: "This is what was made for the Holy House of God during the time of our lord the Imam son of Imam al-Muqtadi Abu Jaafar al-Mustansir Abu al-Abbas 573."
The Abbasid period key, made of iron and measuring 37 cm long, sold last Wednesday at Sotheby's in London in 2008 for more than 18 times its pre-sale estimate and was bought anonymously. It is the only known example to remain in private hands.
ReplyDelete