The Islamic and Neo-Traditional Art Market from Its Origins to the Present: A Look at the Statistics and Figures
The Islamic art market emerged in the early 20th century and expanded through independent dealers in Paris, London, and New York. Many of these dealers, who were also collectors, imported valuable artworks directly from Iran, Egypt, and other regions. The secondary market for Islamic art matured by the 1920s, coinciding with the enforcement of restrictions on the export of historical artifacts from source countries. In the 21st century, renewed interest in Islamic art, particularly after 9/11, led to significant investments by museums and international auction houses. The introduction of specialized evening auctions and regional sales played a crucial role in the market’s growth and dynamism. During this period, the Neo-Traditionalist art movement, which reinterprets historical traditions within a modern framework, gained prominence in Middle Eastern auctions. Since the early 2000s, Iranian and Arab artists have played a central role in this movement. Auction house data indicates that demand for these artworks remains strong. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the historical evolution, economic growth, and current status of these two interconnected markets.
3 February 2025
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The Islamic and Neo-Traditional Art Market from Its Origins to the Present: A Look at the Statistics and Figures 3 February 2025
The Islamic art market emerged in the early 20th century and expanded through independent dealers in Paris, London, and New York. Many of these dealers, who were also collectors, imported valuable artworks directly from Iran, Egypt, and other regions. The secondary market for Islamic art matured by the 1920s, coinciding with the enforcement of restrictions on the export of historica...
What Collectors Need to Know About VIP Days at Art Fairs 12 January 2025
VIP Days at Art Fairs Have Their Own Rituals and Traditions: VIP guests are invited not only to view artworks but also to attend more exclusive parties and savor a variety of unique culinary experiences. These occasions offer them the chance to examine artworks in a more private setting, socialize with other attendees, and perhaps gain early access to insider information. Additional...
A detail from New Normal (2020), Arghavan Khosravi
Artchart Report on Iran's Art Market: First Half of 1403 (SH) 29 October 2024
Artchart, a data discovery and analysis platform focused on Iran’s art market, has been documenting and analyzing economic data for this sector since its founding in 1398 SH, offering essential insights to Iranian professionals and audiences. Since 1401 SH, Artchart has issued annual reports on Iran’s art market. This release marks its first semi-annual report, providing a mid-year...
The Iranian Art Market Beyond Borders: 10 Iranian Artists Exclusively Active in the Global Market 15 September 2024
Before the establishment of Tehran Auction in 2012, cities like Dubai, London, and Paris were the primary hubs for the sale of Iranian art. With the launch of the auction, Tehran joined the global art market map. Artists whose works had not previously been sold publicly were introduced to the market, with some even gaining access to the international art scene. While Tehran Auction...
Why is the offering of loans backed by artworks increasing globally? 31 August 2024
Using artworks as collateral for loans is not a new concept, but recent reports suggest that this practice is experiencing a notable rise and becoming increasingly prevalent in the global art market.
Observations on the pre-modern Islamic Art auction market 12 August 2024
This article is a Persian translation of Margaret Hong's "Observations on the Pre-Modern Islamic Art Auction Market." It provides an in-depth analysis of the market's trends over the past decade, noting significant fluctuations in sales and interest among major auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s. The article also examines the growing appeal of specific categories, such as...
Women in Cars (2007), Rokni Haerizadeh.
Iranian Art of the 1990s and 2000s: Trends, Movements, and Market (Part Two) 24 July 2024
The 2000s and 2010s are considered pivotal decades in the landscape of Iranian art. During this period, new artistic approaches were introduced into the Iranian visual arts scene by both the public and private sectors. The art market also began to take an interest in Middle Eastern art, organizing the first auctions dedicated to these works. In the early auctions specifically focuse...
Mehdi Ghadyanloo
Exploring Iranian Talent: 3 Young Artists Making Waves in 2023-2024 28 April 2024
Among the top 20 young artists in the MENA region featured by ArtTactic in 2018, five Iranian artists are recognized, with only one of them residing in Iran. This indicates a trend where international galleries are focusing their attention on diaspora or dual-nationality artists. Recent examples of such artists include Mehdi Ghadyanloo, Maysha Mohamedi, and Ali Banisadr, who have co...
Iranian Art Market Report for 1402 SH (2023-2024) 20 April 2024
Artchart, which had previously examined the Iranian Art  Market in 1401 SH (2022-2023), has once again provided an in-depth report for 1402 SH (2023-2024). The forthcoming report will analyze the data collected in 1402 SH and compare it to previous years to illustrate the current state and trends within the Iranian art market. The initial section provides an overview of the mos...