TEHRAN – Iran’s first auction for works in calligraphy and calligraphic painting has grossed a sum of 26.09 billion rials (over $720,000).

A calligraphy work by Mir Emad Hassani (1554-1615) at 6 billion rials (about 170,000) was the highest-priced item sold during the auction held at Tehran’s Espinas Palace Hotel on Friday.

The second most expensive work belonging to Mohammad-Hossein Shirazi sold at 4.2 billion rials (over $150,000).

Artwork by Reza Rinei came in next at 1.4 billion rials (about $40,000).

A selection of 66 artworks went under the hammer at the auction, which was organized by Taraneh Baran Art Gallery.

Photo: Auctioneer Shahram Shakiba conducts an auction of calligraphy works at Tehran’s Espinas Palace Hotel on September 30, 2016 as employees hold a works by Salar Ahmadian. (Honaronline/Ramona Amirian)

RM/YAW