Record-Breaking Sale of South Asian Art
The Aga Khan collection has broken the all-time record for South Asian art sale, led by Basawan's "A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape", which sold for £10.2m.
The auction at Christie's London made a total of £45.8m, closing out a record year for the Indian art market.
Basawan's Masterpiece
In the late 16th century, Indian miniaturist Basawan painted "A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape", depicting cheetahs against a backdrop of red rocks, twisting trees, and deep-gilt skies.
Basawan's work sold for £10.2m, or $13.6m (with fees), becoming the most expensive work of classical Indian or Islamic painting at auction.
Record Year for Indian Art Market
The sale comes close second to M.F. Husain's "Gram Yatra", which sold for $13.8m in March this year, also at Christie's.
The 95 lots from the collection of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan sold for a total of £45.8m.
Author's summary: Aga Khan collection breaks record for South Asian art sale.