Bonhams, the international fine art auction house, sold over 70% by lot on Monday 12th October, at its Modern & Contemporary Middle Eastern & South Asian Art auction, held at the Royal Mirage Hotel, Dubai (UAE). The auction achieved total sales of over $1,800,000, comfortably in line with estimates.
Mathew Girling, Chief Executive (UK & Europe) Bonhams, said:
“I am very encouraged by the turn out at the sale which indicated return in confidence in the art market and in particular the market here in Dubai. The region has seemingly weathered the downturn in the economic market and collectors were notably enthusiastic to bid for the works of art we had on offer. I am optimistic that in 2010, we shall see the Dubai art market firmly back on the road to recovery.”
Mehreen Rizvi, Head of South Asian and Middle East Art at Bonhams, added:
“The South Asian (India and Pakistan) paintings sold a lot better than expected. The Tagore ‘Illumination of the Shadow’ went at ten times asking, which was incredible. It shows the strong demand in this region. This has given us a platform to work from and we look forward to the next sale in May 2010 with renewed vigour.”
BONHAMS’ TOP TEN
Lot 32 – Mohammed Ehsai (Iran born 1939) Untitled.
Sold for $132,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $110,000 – 130,000
Lot 65 – Afshin Pirhashemi (Iran, born 1974) BMW Series 7
Sold for $126,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $20,000 – 30,000
Lot 15 – Francis Newton Souza (India, 1924-2002) Untitled.
Sold for $86,400 against a pre-sale estimate of $10,000 – 15,000
Lot 33 – Parviz Tanavoli (Iran, born 1937) Horizontal Heech Lovers.
Sold for $84,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $70,000 – 90,000
Lot 6 – Abdur Rahman Chugtai (Pakistan, 1897-1975) Pride of the East
Sold for $78,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $50,000 – 70,000
Lot 10 – Ustad Allah Bux (Pakistan, 1895-1978)
Sold for $72,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $50,000 – 70,000
Lot 47 – Massoud Arabshi (Iran, born 1935) Untitled.
Sold for $69,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $40,000 – 60,000
Lot 19 – Jamil Naqsh (Pakistan, born 1938) Untitled
Sold for $69,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $45,000 – 55,000
Lot 5 – Gaganendranath Tagore (India, 1867-1938) The Illumination of the Shadow
Sold for $58,800 against a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 – 7,000
Lot 58 – Arman (France, 1928-2005) Luth
Sold for $54,000 against a pre-sale estimate of $50,000 – 70,000
www.bonhams.com/mesa
