Jagdish Swaminathan, Homage to Solzhenitsyn (Triptych), 1973, Lot 17, Estimate: US$1,000,000-2,000,000, Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art
This month, explore the rich legacy of Asian art at Sotheby’s, where tradition and innovation join in a stunning showcase. From ancient masterpieces to contemporary expressions, discover seven centuries of artistic excellence at their exhibition in their New York galleries from March 13-21, culminating with a series of live and online auctions that begin on March 17. Also be sure to join their Asian Art Lecture Series on Sunday afternoon, March 16!
Explore the full auction and lecture schedules below:
Gold, Jade, and Stone: Buddhist Art and Material Culture in Early China by Dr. Jin Xu
Lecture: Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 1pm EDT
1334 York Ave
A Room Within a Room, the Canopy Bed in Ming & Qing China by Nicholas Grindley
Lecture: Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 2pm EDT
1334 York Ave
Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art
Auction: Monday, March 17, 2025 at 11am EDT
Viewing: March 13–14, 10am-5pm; March 15, 10am-6pm; March 16, 1-5pm
This Modern & Contemporary South Asian auction brings a curated selection of paintings, sculptures and works on paper from the region’s most celebrated artists. The sale is led by a masterpiece by Jagdish Swaminathan titled Homage to Solzhenitsyn spanning 13.5 feet. Painted in 1973, this triptych is a spectacular vista of the artist’s cosmos, creating a true sense of joy and wonder.
From the Estate of Bhupen Khakhar comes two double-sided cutouts by Khakhar in collaboration with Vaman Rao Khaire depicting Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, which are emblematic of Khakhar’s embeddedness in pop culture and his idiosyncratic painting style.
Another star lot of the sale is Journey of the Magi, a 1963 masterpiece by Jehangir Sabavala. Published across preeminent scholarship about the artist since 1966, this painting depicts an important symbol in Christianity and Zoroastrianism and is a key example of Sabavala’s expert handling of color and contour as he became interested in light and how to portray it.
Other highlights include masterworks by Francis Newton Souza, Maqbool Fida Husain, Ganesh Pyne, George Keyt and Zubeida Agha.
A rare celadon-glazed hu-form vase, Seal mark and period of Yongzheng, Lot 125, Estimate: US$600,000-800,000, Chinese Art
Chinese Art
Auction: Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 9am EDT (both days)
Viewing: March 13–14 & 17, 10am-5pm; March 15, 10am-6pm; March 16, 12-5pm
This March, Sotheby’s Chinese Art auction features a comprehensive presentation of Ming and Qing porcelains, early ceramics, jades, classical furniture and more. Leading this auction are important de-accessions from the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Newark Museum of Art, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The sale also features a selection of important Chinese Art from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection, Marchant Chinese jades, and an array of classical Chinese furnishings from an Important American Collection.
A magnificent large gilt copper alloy figure of Shakyamuni Buddha, Central Tibet, 14th c., overall height 27½ in (70 cm), Lot 563, Estimate: US$600,000-1,500,000, Indian and Himalayan Art
Indian and Himalayan Art
Auction: Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 10am EDT
Viewing: March 13–14 & 17–19, 10am-5pm; March 15, 10am-6pm; March 16, 1-5pm
The Indian and Himalayan Art auction is led by a magnificent large Central Tibetan 14th century gilt-copper alloy figure of Shakyamuni Buddha from a distinguished Dutch private collection, and includes several private collections of Indian and Himalayan paintings, sculpture and ritual objects.
The auction opens with an important New York private collection of classical Indian paintings, many of which were acquired directly from the Ehrenfeld collection. Highlights include two folios from the Tehri Garhwal series of the Gita Govinda and an Imperial Mughal painting of mythical birds. The sale follows with twelve superb works of art from the collection of the financier and scholar Kevin R. Brine, including an important portrait of Thangpa Chenpo, commissioned for Taklung Monastery circa 1180-1210, and and a rare large 17th century silver figure of the Fifth Shamarpa Lama.
ONLINE AUCTION
Important Japanese Swords and Armour from the Paul L. Davidson Collection
Auction: March 13–25, 2025 at 11am EDT
Viewing: March 13–14 & 17–21, 10am-5pm; March 15, 10am-6pm; March 16, 1-5pm
Sotheby’s is proud to present Important Japanese Swords from the Paul L. Davidson Collection this month. The collection comprises fine Japanese swords with examples registered as Tokubetsu Juyo [Exceptionally Important Sword], including an impressive katana attributed to the Yoshioka Ichimonji school, a tanto by Rai Kunitoshi and an early tachi blade attributed to Niji Kunitoshi. Armour and accoutrements of the samurai showcase the excellent craftmanship and quality associated with the warrior class from the Kamakura period through to the centuries of peace established by the Tokugawa shogunate until the late nineteenth century.
To view more details on Asia Art at Sotheby’s, click here.