Clive's Mughal treasures banned from leaving UK

The temporary ban has been imposed to stop the world's biggest art buyer from taking it to the Gulf.

Clive of India's Mughal treasures have been banned from leaving the UK. The temporary ban, on Wednesday, was put to stop the world's biggest art buyer from taking it to the Gulf.

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The arts minister Estelle Morris put a two-month export ban on four pieces to enable British buyers to match the auction price. She is ready to extend the period of the ban if a fund raising effort is started by December 13.

The collection was bought by Sheikh Saud al-Thani, at £4.7 million at Christie's in London in April for a museum of Islamic art in the Gulf state. He is a cousin of the Emir of Qatar.

The famous 17th century jade flask which was once part of the collection at the imperial court in Delhi was bought by the sheikh for £3 million. Reportedly, the reviewing committee on the export of works of art, which recommended the ban, is particularly concerned about the flask going to Qatar.

The other pieces include a flywhisk of banded agate and inset with rubies valued at almost £919,000, a ceremonial dagger set with gems worth almost £750,000 and a huqqa priced at more than £97,000. All were bought by the sheikh who is believed to have spent £15 million on buying Islamic treasures.