Sotheby's - Indian Art - March 19, 2008 Sotheby’s New York spring sales of Indian and Southeast Asian Art, including 241 lots of Modern Paintings, Works of Art and Miniatures, brought a total of $12,133,626 (est. $10,576,200/15,575,800).
of the largest and most important early
Tibetan gilt bronze figures of Shakyamuni Buddha outside Tibet.
Theresa McCullough, Senior Specialist for the Works of Art section of the sale, commented: “The
top end of today’s sale was dominated by sculpture, and we saw some impressive prices for this
category, particularly for the Buddha Shakyamuni and the Khmer torsos, and works from Tibet and
Southeast Asia performed well. Bidding was international, with a strong distribution between
America and Asia, as well as Europe.” Zara Porter Hill continued: “We saw continued demand for
top quality Miniature paintings, with most lots selling for many times above their high estimates.”
Other highlights of the sale included a Khmer gray sandstone torso of a Male Deity, Baphuon,
first half 11th century, being offered from Distinguished Private Collection, which sold for $421,000
to a European Private collector (lot 241, est. $400/600,000); a torso of a female deity, sandstone,
Khmer, Angkor period, Baphuon style, late 11th century, which achieved $361,000, over seven
times its high estimate, selling to an American Private collector (lot 242, est. $30/50,000); and a
Vajrasattva, made of gilt copper and semi-precious stones, Tibet, 13th century, also offered
from a Private European Collection, which sold for $361,000 to an Asian Private collector (lot 302,
est. $300/400,000).
The selection of 38 miniatures soared and was highlighted by an illustration from the Bhagavata
Purana: The Gopis Gather on the Banks of the Yamuna in Anticipation of Krishna’s Arrival,
India, Bikaner, circa 1690-1770, which sold for $193,000 to an American Dealer (lot 223, est.
$20/30,000).
*Estimates do not include buyer’s premium
Sotheby’s New York Spring 2008 Asian Art Auction Schedule:
March 17 Contemporary Art Asia: China Japan Korea
March 18 Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
March 19 Indian Art
March 19 Indian and Southeast Works of Art, Including Miniatures
Sotheby’s Hong Kong Spring 2008 Auction Schedule at the Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre:
April 8 Fine Chinese Paintings
April 8 Modern & Contemporary Southeast Asian Paintings
April 9 Contemporary Chinese Art
April 10 Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite
April 10 Important Watches
April 11 Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Sotheby’s London Spring 2008 Asian Art Auction Schedule
May 14 Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art
Sotheby’s Paris Spring 2008 Asian Art Auction Schedule
June 12 Arts of Asia
**Sales information and dates are subject to change**
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