Christie’s Mumbai auction makes a record Rs 97.69 cr; highest ever in India

Records tumbled at Christie's auction held in Mumbai with an untitled work by India's foremost abstract painter Vasudeo S Gaitonde fetching a jaw-dropping Rs 29.30 crore. Five bidders, on telephones and in the room, battled closely for Gaitonde's work. Besides soaring above its pre-sale estimate, the work also broke the previous auction record of Rs 23.70 crore set by the artist at Christie's inaugural India sale in 2013.

Christie's, the world's largest auction house, made a total sale amounting to a whooping Rs 97.69 crore in the auction. The works of classical art that were sold on Tuesday cannot be exported, but can still be exchanged in India. The sale exceeded the pre-sale estimate of Rs 75.6 crore, becoming the highest total for any auction held in India. (Source: IANS)

In its third edition, Christie's annual India sale offered 25 classical artwork and antiques for the first time. Even though these objects can't be exported, they can still be exchanged within India. Also featuring modern and contemporary South Asian art, the India sale included pieces by VS Gaitonde, Tyeb Mehta, Ram Kumar, Nasreen Mohamedi, Manjit Bawa and Nandalal Bose. Here's a look at some of the works. (Text: Divya A)

The Casuarina Line I by Jehangir Sabavala set a record by fetching Rs 1.7 crore at a SaffronArt auction in 2010. The Casuarina Line II — painted in 2002 — is on sale at Christie's third annual India sale. Oil on canvas, Rs 1,20,00,000-1,80,00,000. (Source: Christie's)

SH Raza's 1983 work — Bindu — followed a long period of creative frustration. It is a throwback to his childhood when his teacher drew a dot on the blackboard and asked him to meditate on it. Oil on canvas, Rs 1,20,00,000-1,80,00,000. (Source: Christie's)

Painted in the 1990s, this untitled work — by noted Indian contemporary artist Manjit Bawa — is a contemporary twist to the visual representation of Lord Krishna. Oil on canvas, Rs 2,50,00,000-3,00,00,000. (Source: Christie's)

Painted in 1994, this is an untitled work by artist Tyeb Mehta of the groundbreaking Bombay Progressive Artists’ Group. He is an influential minimalist modern artist. Acrylic on canvas. $600,000 - $800,000. (Source: Christie's)

A bronze figure of Parvati from the Chola period, 12th century, South India, Tamil Nadu, Rs 2,000,000-2,500,000. (Source: Christie's)

A granite figure of a Dvarapala — a door guardian often portrayed as a warrior — South India, Tamil Nadu, Circa 10th century Rs 1,20,00,000-1,80,00,000. (Source: Christie's)

An important sandstone figure of Ganesha, Madhya Pradesh, Circa 10th century, Rs 50,00,000-70,00,000. (Source: Christie's)

Two courtly ladies By Bihari, India, Bikaner, in Golconda style, circa 1700, Rs 5,00,000-7,00,000. (Source: Christie's)

An equestrian portrait of Maharaja Kumar Sri Rai Singh as a young prince, by Abu Hamid, Bikaner, dated VS 1811/1754 AD, folio Rs 4,00,000-6,00,000. (Source: Christie's)