Christie’s South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art sale achieved the value of $2.412 million.

Of the 72 lots that were on offer, 63% were sold, embracing 45 pieces. The auction in New York achieved 54% sales in value terms. The highlights included a V. S. Gaitonde Untitled that was picked up at $482,500 against an estimate value of $300,000-500,000 by an anonymous buyer.

A Subodh Gupta Untitled work (oil on canvas from 2004) was bought for just $176,500 by a private Asian buyer compared to the estimate of $200,000-300,000. Among other high-end works was an acrylic on canvas work, titled ‘Transplantation’, by Rameshwar Broota that was pegged at $170,500. The sale value hovered close to the high estimate ($180,000).

International director (international specialist) Indian and Southeast Asia art head, Hugo Weihe, was quoted by Economic Times as stating from New York: “The sale of South Asian Modern and Contemporary Art was led by Gaitonde’s Untitled from 1965. We were pleased to see strong results for Husain’s ‘Gandhi- Man of Peace’ at $152,000 as well as Rameshwar Broota’s ‘Face’ at $80,500. Buyers though, continued to be selective and focused on quality, triggering solid results mostly for mid-level price ranges.”

Theow H. Tow, Deputy chairman, Christie’s Americas & Asia, stated: “Christie’s Asian Art Week presented exceptional works to an international audience. The Asian art market has been deepening and fast expanding over the last several years.”