Rare Iraqi Silver Model Among Highlights of Azca Auctions' October Sale

A remarkable Iraqi nielloed silver architectural model is expected to attract interest when it goes under the hammer at Azca Auctions on 22nd October, carrying an estimate of £20,000–£30,000.

Offered as lot 200, the model is believed to represent the Mosque of the Prophet Seth (Mosque of Nabi Shiath), associated with the third son of Adam. The original building, which formed part of the Prophet's tomb complex, was destroyed in 2014, making this possible representation a fascinating reminder of a lost historic site and the architectural heritage associated with it.

The model features an intricately engraved facade, decorated with gilt-sheet cartouches and leaf-shaped panels containing Arabic religious inscriptions. Its roof is further embellished with crystal, emerald cabochons and 20th-century intaglios, with the combination of materials and decorative techniques adding to the visual impact of the piece.

The crystal may be Durr al-Najaf, a variety of rock crystal from Iraq's Najaf region, traditionally prized for its clarity and lustre and associated with Shi'a devotional culture. Its possible inclusion adds another layer of cultural significance to an already unusual object.

While Iraqi niello silverware was commonly produced as smaller decorative objects, including cigarette cases, napkin rings and vases, this example is particularly distinctive for its size and complexity. Measuring 43.4cm x 42.5cm x 33cm and weighing approximately 5.4kg, it is a substantial piece that stands apart from the more typical examples produced for tourists and British expatriates.

Architectural models also have a longer history across the Ottoman-period Levant, where miniature representations of important religious buildings were produced as souvenirs for pilgrims. Examples dating back to the late 16th and early 17th centuries have been documented in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, including representations of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity. These objects allowed travellers to take home a lasting reminder of the sacred sites they had visited.

The silver model is one of several interesting pieces featured in the October sale, which brings together a varied selection of Islamic and Indian works of art spanning different periods and artistic traditions.

Among the other highlights is a rare Egyptian ledger documenting the

production of the Holy Kaaba's Kiswa under Khedive Tawfiq Pasha (lot 139). The sale also includes a panel of four Ottoman Iznik pottery tiles dating from around 1575–1585 (lot 5), offering an example of the decorative ceramic traditions associated with the Ottoman Empire.

A collection of 27 Timurid ceramic border tiles (lot 4) provides another example of historic craftsmanship, while a late 19th-century Ottoman calligraphic silk band, offered as lot 247 with an estimate of £15,000–£20,000, adds to the selection of decorative and religious works.

Together, these lots demonstrate the variety of materials, techniques and cultural influences represented throughout the auction. For collectors interested in Islamic art, historic craftsmanship and objects with strong connections to religious and architectural heritage, the sale offers a particularly varied selection, with the Iraqi silver model providing one of its most distinctive highlights.

Azca Auctions' Arts of India and the Islamic Lands sale takes place on 22 October 2026 at 12 noon.

View the auction catalgoue.