Two vases. Around 1910. Japan Nagoya.
Ceramics

A unique collection of Professor Khalili’s enamels

Evening bag. Around 1968. Collection of Professor Khalili’s enamels, Italy.
Evening bag. Around 1968. Collection of Professor Khalili’s enamels, Italy.

Treasures from all over the world. A unique collection of Professor Khalili’s enamels.

Professor Nasser Khalili is known today as one of the world’s largest private collectors. He is the owner of a unique collection of works of art, consisting of eight thematic sections:

  • islam art,
  • Collection dedicated to the Hajj and the history of the pilgrimage,
  • Aramaic written sources,
  • Japanese art of the Meiji period (1868–1912),
  • Japanese kimonos (1700–2000),
  • Swedish textiles (1700–1900),
  • Spanish Damascus metal (1850–1900),
  • Collection of enamels from different countries (1700–2000).
Throne table. 1736 1795. China Canton Guangzhou.
Throne table. 1736 1795. China Canton Guangzhou.
The background color is yellow which in traditional Chinese culture is considered the color of the emperor.
The background color is yellow which in traditional Chinese culture is considered the color of the emperor.

The Khalili enamel collection includes over 1,300 pieces made between 1700 and 2000. Despite the fact that the enamel business began to develop in ancient Egypt and Byzantium, the collector deliberately set the time frame for his collection, justifying this by the fact that by the beginning of the 18th century almost all the main techniques for making enamel products had already been formed in Europe.

Surtoux de table. About 1903. France.
Surtoux de table. About 1903. France.

Khalili’s collection includes a variety of works, ranging from classic miniature watches, chatelaines, snuff boxes and brooches to pieces of furniture and even a real carriage. They were also created in various places Western Europe, Russia, Scandinavia, the countries of the Middle and Far East. Below are some of the more interesting products.

Corsage brooch. 1903 1905. France.
Corsage brooch. 1903 1905. France.
Silver landau of the Maharaja. 1915. India Bombay Mumbai.
Silver landau of the Maharaja. 1915. India Bombay Mumbai.
Cup with lid. 1899 1908. Russia.
Cup with lid. 1899 1908. Russia.
Rooster cup of Grand Duke Ivan Vasilyevich late 15th century first third of the 16th century. Museums of the Moscow Kremlin.
Rooster cup of Grand Duke Ivan Vasilyevich late 15th century first third of the 16th century. Museums of the Moscow Kremlin.
Ivan Khlebnikov. Decanter in the form of a rooster. 1880s.
Ivan Khlebnikov. Decanter in the form of a rooster. 1880s.
Decanter in the form of a rooster. About 1870. Russia.
Decanter in the form of a rooster. About 1870. Russia.
Photo frame. 1899 1903. Russia.
Photo frame. 1899 1903. Russia.
Page from Studio magazine. June 1911.
Page from Studio magazine. June 1911.
Two vases. Around 1910. Japan Nagoya.
Two vases. Around 1910. Japan Nagoya.
Three zarfs. Mid 19th century. Switzerland.
Three zarfs. Mid 19th century. Switzerland.
Fan. 1870. Switzerland.
Fan. 1870. Switzerland.
Casket. 1897. Germany.
Casket. 1897. Germany.
Dish. About 1870. Germany.
Dish. About 1870. Germany.
Pair of table lamps. 1892. Norway Christiania Oslo.
Pair of table lamps. 1892. Norway Christiania Oslo.
Thanks to the spectacular combination of a gold case covered with bright enamels and a complex mechanism that provides perfume atomization.
Thanks to the spectacular combination of a gold case covered with bright enamels and a complex mechanism that provides perfume atomization.
Perfume bottles in the form of paired flintlock pistols with watches in the stock. 1805. Switzerland Geneva.
Perfume bottles in the form of paired flintlock pistols with watches in the stock. 1805. Switzerland Geneva.
The worlds largest enamel panel depicting the crucified Christ. End of the 19th century. Collection of Professor Khalili’s enamels.
The worlds largest enamel panel depicting the crucified Christ. End of the 19th century. Collection of Professor Khalili’s enamels.