With sanctions on Iranian art, buyers are turning to India

The article reports a significant shift in the Islamic art market, where traditional Persianate works from Iran are declining in sales and value, while art from India and historic Arab polities is rising. At Sotheby's April 2025 sale, 14 of 27 Persian works went unsold, continuing a long-term slump. Key factors include U.S. sanctions on Iran that restrict export of Iranian-origin works, aging collectors, maturing museums, and a generational shift away from classical art toward contemporary pieces. In contrast, Mughal art from India is experiencing a steady price increase, reflecting the repositioning of the market away from Persianate mainstays.