A GOLD MINE IN KATARA

KATARA CULTURAL VILLAGE HAS SO MANY HIDDEN GEMS THAT YOU OFTEN MISS OUT ON SOME RARE DIAMONDS IN THE SEA OF THIS CULTURAL HUB. EVER SINCE FACT’S ANUSHAY TAIMUR KHAN MOVED TO DOHA IN 2015, KATARA WAS ALWAYS ONE PLACE THAT SHE WANTED TO DISCOVER IN DEPTH…

Trust me when I say that it is not an easy task to take in all the cultural wonders of Katara in one visit. It is like a puzzle that you more often than not get lost in but the best part is that you’ll come across some real finds along the way! AlBahie Auction House was no different than those instances that you simply miss out on something amazing that is in plain sight. Karak & Chapati has been an ultimate favourite for me and I could not believe it when I found the auction house right behind it. No exaggeration, you literally sit outside the auction house to sip some karak. A sign on top even reads Al Bahie but it is very easy to miss it as part of Katara’s decor. As part of Katara Cultural Village Foundation, AlBahie is located within Katara Cultural Village a place of cultural exchange for the arts in an exceptional location and dedicated to excellence.

Stepping into the auction house is like being taken to a new world of art, culture and some good old memories. AlBahie Auction House engages our community of local and international collectors with monthly auctions, selling exhibitions and special events to nurture the discovery of our shared cultural history and to further the understanding and communication between different cultures. A first of its kind for the region, AlBahie is an essential stop in Doha’s dynamic art scene.

When I went there, they had recently had the AlBahie Bazaar auction. A name that aptly applied to the bewitching antiques that they held, the Bazaar featured European-style furniture including marble-topped commodes, gilded French-style mirrors, an antique long case grandfather clock, along with a special selection of Indian miniature watercolors and Damascus steel swords. Even though I was a witness of all these items through pictures, I was so happy to see a few goods still around. It was like walking back in time where you get to experience your mother’s old crockery all over again, your grandmother asking you to not touch the clock that her father was gifted in the British era. The auction house offered alluring finds that I could not help but admire.

If you think that the auction house only hosted certain things, let’s take you down some fascinating galleries here. Where the Bazaar was a wonderfully curated collection, the Art Gallery was an absolute breath taker. With options that would blow your mind, the genius behind AlBahie bring together an impressive collection of works by people all over the world,

The auction house is a culmination of all things antiques that you could possibly want in life which an ideal place to be at for collections, enthusiasts and curiosity seekers. Whether it is the Amber auction that you visit which features antique Kahram collection or the Fine Rugs and Carpet auction that can add a unique touch to your home, or you find yourself buying contemporary pieces from unique artists. The monthly auctions are going to lure you into the magic that they create at this magnificent place.

ARTS OF ISLAMIC WORLD AT AL BAHIE
Arts of the Islamic World auctions bring together unique objects including metalworks, ceramics, textiles, manuscripts, swords, daggers and works on paper produced in and a part of the distinct cultural and artistic tradition from the Middle East and the wider Islamic World. This exhibition truly shows how the Doha market has exceptional taste and that there is a need for such exclusivity in the region.

A vast range of regional styles evolved under the diverse influences of empires like the Safavid, Mamluk, Ottoman, and Mughal, yet we see unifying elements in the use of surface decoration and ornamentation, recurring motifs like geometric and botanical patterns, as well as calligraphic inscriptions and dedications..

MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART AT ALBAHIE
With a focus on regional artists and artists of the Arab diaspora, AlBahie holds annual auctions dedicated to Modern and Contemporary Art. Local and international collectors have a growing interest in works produced by a culturally diverse group of artists reflecting a complex heritage and expressed in a variety of mediums. The world slowly has shown a keen interest in what the artists of the region have to offer. With Qatar’s growing art scene as well, this option by AlBahie proves to be one of my favourites.

‘THE RUG BELT’ AT ALBAHIE
AlBahie’s dedicated Rugs and Carpets Auctions focuses on offering the finest hand-woven textiles from North Africa, Middle East, Central Asia and Northern India, the region more commonly referred to as ‘The Rug Belt’.
The hand-woven carpet is one of the oldest traditional art forms in the world, practically unchanged for centuries. Woven by nomadic tribes for everyday practical use, the function of hand-woven rugs and carpets has changed significantly throughout history. The transformation to a recognized art-form first occurred during the 13th to 17th century with the Safavid, Mamluk, Ottoman, Seljuk and Mughal dynasties, all engaging in the trade of hand-woven carpets for economic revenue. AlBahie makes sure that the best in the lot is brought to you as the team travels through the world to bring forth exquisite items.

LIMITED EDITION AND VINTAGE WATCHES EXHIBITION AT ALBAHIE
The AlBahie Watches auctions and private sales focus on exceptional craftsmanship and design in models by Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Richard Mille along with limited edition watches and vintage timepieces. Collectors across the globe and in Doha in particular continue to vie for exceptional watches making this one of AlBahie’s most popular auction categories.

MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART
AlBahie Modern and Contemporary Art Auctions have successfully offered works by such notable artists as Samia Halaby, Chant Avedissian, and Baya Mahieddine alongside emerging talent like Monira al Qadiri and Arwa Abouon. AlBahie Auction House contributes to the revival of age-old tradition by bringing the finest examples to auction.

CHARITY AUCTIONS
AlBahie also conducts charity auctions in benefit of important causes in our community. Depending on the needs of various organisations, AlBahie provides pre-auction marketing services, bidding registration services, auctioneer services, as well as post-auction services. ✤