One of the rarest and most desirable works of art from the Islamic world, a carved rock crystal ewer from the Fatimid Royal Treasury, dating to the late 10th to early 11th century AD, will be offered at the strongest sale of Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds ever staged at Christie’s, on Tuesday 7 October 2008.

Estimated to realise in excess of £3 million ($5.3 million), this Fatimid ewer is one of only seven fully- carved known surviving examples and the first and only one to be offered on the open market.

Few objects evoke the richness of mediaeval Islamic culture as much as the small group of carved rock crystal ewers made for the court of the Fatimid rulers of Cairo in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. One of these is the treasure at the centre of this sale. It is further embellished with enamelled gold mounts, illustrated right, made in 1854, by the French silversmith Jean-Valentin Morel, who was appointed Goldsmith to Queen Victoria in 1852

This is an historic opportunity for private collectors and institutions around the world. The auction is anticipated to sport an amazing grouping of exceptional artworks ranging from diverse geographical areas, materials and time and is expected to generate over £11 million ($19 million).