While the west may be doffing its hat to Indian contemporary art, even its classical art is getting its due.
30 Mar, 2007, 2001 hrs IST,
TIMES NEWS NETWORKIndian contemporary art's growing influence on the international art market is uncontested. At a recent antique sculpture auction at the Christie's, London, even classical art got its due when a large bronze figure of Parvati was sold for $2,728,000 (approx Rs 11,73,04,000), a new world record. Out of the 192 lots offered, 135 were sold and most of them went much beyond the estimated prices.
Hugo Weihe, international director, Asian Art at Christie's says, "This sale of Indian and Southeast Asian Art begins a new chapter. The figure of Parvati set a new world record for a classical Indian work of art and is the highest total ever achieved for such an auction."
The statue of Parvati had a tag of $400,000-$600,000. A schist relief with the teachings of Buddha, estimated at $250,000-$350,000, went for $540,000. Although sculptures have always managed to command big money, with this auction classical Indian art made a big leap too. Weihe concurs, "This is a huge step in terms of recognition for Indian art.
Till now, there was a perception that classical works of art were underrated as compared to price levels in modern and contemporary Indian art, and also Chinese art. This spectacular sale saw a gratifying market responding so well to outstanding masterpieces."
It is also quite interesting to note that out of the top 10 sculptures sold, six went to non-Asian buyers. Delhi antique dealer Vinod Khandelwal sees this as a huge breakthrough in the way Indian art is received world-over.
He avers, "Museums around the world have good collections of Chinese and Japanese art, but very few Indian art pieces. They are now looking to catch up. Today, there is a renewed understanding of the historic significance of such sculptures."
Priya Pal, an art consultant trained at Sotheby's, says there are many more reasons for the increasing demand for classical Indian works.
"Four-five years ago, there was a major boom in the modern and contemporary art in the world and a saturation point was reached. No such saturation exists in the field of classical art. Antique dealers especially are more interested in a Parvati, Shiva or a Brahma figure than that of Buddha."
And the reason? "Buddhism travelled to the Far-East and hence the West has had a greater awareness of it for very long now. But in the case of Hinduism, the craze for the religion is on a high internationally and is fetching high prices for antique sculptures," she adds.
Hugo Weihe, international director, Asian Art at Christie's says, "This sale of Indian and Southeast Asian Art begins a new chapter. The figure of Parvati set a new world record for a classical Indian work of art and is the highest total ever achieved for such an auction."
The statue of Parvati had a tag of $400,000-$600,000. A schist relief with the teachings of Buddha, estimated at $250,000-$350,000, went for $540,000. Although sculptures have always managed to command big money, with this auction classical Indian art made a big leap too. Weihe concurs, "This is a huge step in terms of recognition for Indian art.
Till now, there was a perception that classical works of art were underrated as compared to price levels in modern and contemporary Indian art, and also Chinese art. This spectacular sale saw a gratifying market responding so well to outstanding masterpieces."
It is also quite interesting to note that out of the top 10 sculptures sold, six went to non-Asian buyers. Delhi antique dealer Vinod Khandelwal sees this as a huge breakthrough in the way Indian art is received world-over.
He avers, "Museums around the world have good collections of Chinese and Japanese art, but very few Indian art pieces. They are now looking to catch up. Today, there is a renewed understanding of the historic significance of such sculptures."
Priya Pal, an art consultant trained at Sotheby's, says there are many more reasons for the increasing demand for classical Indian works.
"Four-five years ago, there was a major boom in the modern and contemporary art in the world and a saturation point was reached. No such saturation exists in the field of classical art. Antique dealers especially are more interested in a Parvati, Shiva or a Brahma figure than that of Buddha."
And the reason? "Buddhism travelled to the Far-East and hence the West has had a greater awareness of it for very long now. But in the case of Hinduism, the craze for the religion is on a high internationally and is fetching high prices for antique sculptures," she adds.
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