Indian masters call the shots at Sotheby`s

New Delhi: A sale of South Asian art, known as the Amaya Collection from the archive of writer and collector Amrita Jhaveri, at Sotheby`s saw Indian masters fetching strong prices showing that modern masters still ruled the auction market. The 43 works on sale Tuesday grossed $6,694,875. Yamini Mehta, senior director of Sotheby`s modern and contemporary South Asian art in London and New York, said the fact that 60 per cent of the lots achieved prices above their high estimates showed that collectors were committed to pursuing works of the highest quality. Among the attractions of the auction was "Untitled", an art work by Vasudeo S. Gaitonde, one of India`s abstract painters. It sold for $965,000, above a high estimate of $800,000. A painting from 1983 called "Rajasthan" fetched $809,000 and Francis Newton Souza`s "Crucifixion" sold for $557,000. Additional highlights included Manjit Bawa`s "The Black Devi" that sold for $389,000, and Bhupen Khakar`s "Satsang" that went out for $341,000. Priyanka Mathew, head of sales, modern and contemporary south Asian art, said: "We are pleased to see a number of new buyers enter the market this season. Their presence contributed to strong prices for works both by modern and contemporary artists in the Amaya Collection." IANS