Broota 'numbers' on fire at the Christie's sale

The Indian section of the International Modern and Contemporary Art sale in Dubai coughed up $5,697,800 in sales amounting to 67% of the total billing of $8,489,400. The more remarkable thing is this was achieved from just 35 lots or less than 30% of all lots that were up for sale showing once again why Indian Modern Art is gaining in stature and importance for Christies and other International auction houses.

We saw a lot of wallet power being flashed at this inaugural Dubai sale pushing the average sale price to a whopping $163,000 with over 92% of all lots in the Indian section finding buyers and over 55% of the lots selling above $100,000

In a no holds barred fight to the finish Numbers, a 1979 canvas work by Rameshwar Broota (est $80,000-$120,000) was hammered down for a mind numbing $912,000 or over 650% its original high estimate making it the top lot for this sale and setting a world record for the most expensive Broota ever to have sold at the auctions or even privately as may be the case.

Ciel Bleu, 1957 landscape by Raza estimated to sell between $100,000-150,000 was the other picture that managed to ignite the salesroom ultimately going for $329,600. As expected, the Souza’s did well as did Husain with all of his 7 lots finding unlikely buyers.

Overall this was a resounding success for Christies and for Indian art with Dubai emerging as a buying force to reckon with and an almost certain venue for future sales of Indian pictures.