Himalayan bronze sculptures of 'Shiva and Parvati', 'Vishnu', 'Mahishasuramardini', 'Shakyamuni Buddha' and 'Shadakshari Lokeshvara' made for the highest bids at Saffronart's first Asian Art Online Auction.
The auction held earlier this month sold almost 70 per cent of the 74 lots achieving a total sale value of Rs 62.75 lakhs.
The sculptures featured Himalayan art, an important part of India's cultural heritage with leading museums in the country, such as the CSMVS Museum in Mumbai, housing significant collections.
The 20th century Mahishsuramardini from Nepal shows a large and impressive eighteen armed Durga in alidhasana, holding a trident which pierces the buffalo demon Mahisha, severing the buffalo's head.
The art piece fetched over Rs 13 lakhs (approx) at the auction.
"We are excited to establish a category of Asian Art with this first sale. This auction includes works which are not only rare, with a unique story of collecting behind them, but are also significant as they illustrate Indian influence and the historic exchange of ideas and trade within Asia.
"It offers new discoveries that open up fresh perspectives. We plan to establish Asian Art as an annual category, highlighting and celebrating important works from across Asia," Hugo Weihe, CEO, Saffronart, said.
A large Chinese 'Blue and White Porcelain Fish Charger' from the 19th century, with a six character Wanli mark sold for over Rs 2.5 lakhs at the auction.
The Chinese porcelain pieces at the sale were sourced from the collection (17th-20th centuries) of writer and educator Harish Dhillon, who developed an interest in Chinese art through extensive reading and interactions with fellow collectors and institutions worldwide.
Among the pieces with a fascinating narrative was one from the Hatcher Cargo, one of the largest cargos of Chinese porcelain recovered from a 17th century shipwreck, around the port of Jakarta in 1983.
Another piece from the Dhillon collection was from the famous Nanking Cargo, the cache of Chinese porcelain and gold ingots recovered from the Geldermalsen, a cargo ship of the Dutch East India Company that sank off the coast of Jakarta in 1751.
Other key highlights included 18th-20th century Tibetan thangkas and Nepalese paubha paintings based on Buddhist and Hindu iconography.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
