Record Sale of 550 Million Tomans for a Work by Mahmoud Farshchian at 'National Auction'

At the second 'National Auction' of artworks in Iran, a piece by Mahmoud Farshchian set a record for the highest price sold at 550 million tomans. According to the Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), the auction held on Friday, October 9, in Tehran saw over 90% of the artworks and handicrafts sold for approximately 4.8 billion tomans, with the record for the most expensive piece sold attributed to Mahmoud Farshchian at 550 million tomans. This auction, conducted by Attila Pessiani, an actor in cinema and theater, featured 76 works, most of which sold at their starting prices, while six pieces did not sell as their bids did not meet the reserve prices. Among the unsold items was a miniature by Mirza Agha Imam, which was the most expensive piece offered in this auction, along with six other works including three manuscript copies of the Quran, Sahifa Sajjadiya, and a prayer book, as well as wood carving, a miniature by Mohammad Khazaei, and a gilded work. The most expensive sold piece at this auction was a work by Mahmoud Farshchian from 1972, estimated at 350-500 million tomans, which ultimately sold for 550 million tomans. A 160 cm ship crafted by Behrouz Heydarian was among the handicrafts offered at this auction, selling for 360 million tomans, making it the second most expensive piece. A painting by Jafar Khan from 1842 sold for 350 million tomans, ranking third in the auction's high-value works. Aydin Aghdashloo's painting reached a sale of 200 million tomans, making it the fourth most expensive piece. Other notable sales included a miniature by Hossein Khatai from 1953 selling for 180 million tomans, and a miniature by Mohammad Ali Zaviyeh from 1975 selling for 160 million tomans. The auction also saw a notable point where buyers withdrew from purchasing their works on two occasions, prompting a warning from Attila Pessiani on behalf of the auction organizers. The 'National Auction' of artworks is known among buyers and enthusiasts of visual arts as a classic auction, in contrast to 'Tehran Auction,' which is known for modern works.