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 miniature "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 landmark year for the Indian art market.
Basawan's painting, created in the late 16th century, depicts a family of cheetahs against a backdrop of red rocks, twisting trees, and deep-gilt skies.
Basawan's A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape (around 1575-80) is the most expensive classical Indian or Islamic painting at auction, selling for £10.2m.
The sale of 95 lots from the collection of Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan included this notable piece, which comes in second for the most expensive Indian painting at auction, after M.F. Husain’s 1954 Gram Yatra.
- Sold for: £10.2m
- Total auction sale: £45.8m
- Notable artist: Basawan
- Collection: Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan
Author's summary: Aga Khan collection breaks record for South Asian art sale with £45.8m auction.