ID 1028497
Lot 196 | A collection of 38 photographs of Afghanistan. Kabul, circa 1919-1933
Estimate value
£ 2 000 – 3 000
38 silver and gelatin silver prints (from approx. 164 x 210mm. to 192 x 294mm., or the reverse), 14 with the photographer's stamp on the verso, a few slight creases, one with small marginal tear
RARE AND HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT PHOTOGRAPHS from the period of modernisation in Afghanistan commenced during the reign of Amanullah Khan (1919-1929). The photographs give a vivid insight into the compulsory reforms imposed by King Amanullah, and the disastrous effects occasioned by the unwelcome reforms.
Among the images is a photograph of the assembly of tribal representatives at the Loya Jirgah on the 2nd of September, 1928. The King and Queen are shown surrounded by subjects who have been forced to wear European dress for the first time in their lives. Such compulsory modernisation lead to King Amanullah's overthrow a few months later, when Habibullah Kalakani led an uprising against the King and his attempts at westernisation. Shortly after the uprising, Nadir Shah took the throne and ordered the execution of Habibullah Ghazi. The public execution of the latter and his gang is also depicted here. Other images include photographs of Nadir Shah and his dignitaries (1930); Afghan warriors; foreign guests with Nadir Shah; and numerous others which together provide a fascinating insight into this turbulent period of Afghan history.
Address of auction |
Sotheby´s 34-35 New Bond Street W1A 2AA London United Kingdom | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Preview |
| ||||||
Phone | +44 (0) 20 7293 5000 | ||||||
Phone | +1 212 606 7000 | ||||||
Conditions of purchase | Conditions of purchase |
Frequently asked questions
First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.