In a High Court ruling of Jeddi v Sotheby’s and Ors, the judge found in favour of Iranian collector and dealer Ali Saatsaz Jeddi against collector Ali Pishvaie. Jeddi argued he bought the 10th century ewer in Dubai in 2010 but had asked Pishvaie to sell it through Sotheby’s in January 2012, agreeing to pay him a 25% commission.
Partner Hetty Gleave commented:
“The judgment is a significant victory for Mr Jeddi and confirms that Mr Pishvaie’s account of the exchange of the Jar for the bronze object was found to be “implausible and unevidenced”.
“The case raised interesting issues on the law relating to bailment and agency and relied on an array of expert evidence ranging from the forensic experts who advised on the authenticity of hand writing and paper, and telecoms experts in relation to dates of documents produced. The Judge found that Mr Pishvaie had, on the balance of probabilities, forged his evidence proving title to the Jar and that Mr Jeddi was entitled to immediate possession of it.
“Hunters are delighted that the Court found in favour of Mr Jeddi in this hard-fought dispute over the ownership and right to possession of this unique and valuable early Islamic rock crystal Jar.”
Read the full article in Antiques Trade Gazette, behind a paywall, here. Read Hunters’ full case summary here.
