The Eilenberg Buddha. Copper alloy, Thailand, Mon Dvaravati period, circa 8th century. Estimate: US$ 250,000 - 350,000. Photo: Bonhams.
Following the tremendous success of the spring auction, where world records were established in multiple categories of Indian painting, Bonhams will present another important group of paintings in the September 11 Himalayan, Indian & Southeast Asian sale. On offer is a strong selection of fresh to market works coming from private collections and estates including: 60+ Indian paintings from the 16th – 19th century; a fine group of Indian sculpture and works of art; approximately 20 Himalayan works with a strong offering of Tibetan paintings; and a small eclectic group of Southeast Asian sculpture and works of art.
Bonhams will also present another important group of paintings from the royal courts of Rajasthan and Punjab Hills. The sale will feature a number of equestrian portraits of rulers from the celebrated court of Mewar (Udaipur) including the dazzling processional scene of Sajjan Singh, dated 1883 by the court artist Sivalal (pre-sale estimate $30,000-40,000). Typical of the court painting from Udaipur great emphasis was placed on royal stable of horses and elephants. More often than not the artist focused a great amount of detail on the animal compared with the humans in the composition. This is especially evident in this painting and the inscription on the back identifies the names of the horses as well as the dignitaries who are riding them.
Other highlight paintings include a 19th century opaque watercolor illustration to the Hamir Hatha attributed to Sajnu (pre-sale est. $25,000-35,000), a late 18th century opaque watercolor illustration to a Ramayana Series: Rama and Lakshmana confer with the monkey army (pre-sale est. $25,000-35,000), and another opaque watercolor circa 1695 to the ‘third’ Rasamanjari of Bhanu Dutta: The intoxicated courtesan (pre-sale est. $60,000-80,000).
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