“When you have a Mughal-period picture like The Emperor Bahadur Shah II Enthroned, 1707, a gouache and gold on paper by Bhavanidas, that has all of the desirable hallmarks—beautiful execution, exquisite condition, and an unbroken chain of provenance that began with Warren Hastings, the governor general of India in the latter part of the 18th century—it is sure to find a taker,” says Benedict Carter, head of auction sales for the Middle East at Sotheby’s. The painting, which carries an estimate of £60,000 to £80,000 ($94,000–125,000), is among 160 spectacular works—primarily Indian miniatures dating from the 16th to the 19th century—from the collection of London dealer Sven Gahlin that go on the block at the house October 6 during Indian and Islamic art week.

Other sale highlights include a painting of a Raja Riding on a Bull Elephant, circa 1685, pictured above, attributable to the Isarda artist Wajid, estimated at £15,000 to £18,000 ($23,600–28,300). “With his distinguished white beard and dry Scandinavian wit, Sven has been a well-known figure in the London auction rooms for many years,” says writer and market specialist Lucian Harris of Gahlin, who amassed an unmatched collection of choice works from the Mughal, Deccani, and Rajput courts, as well as Company School paintings from the time of the British Raj.

“In prior single-owner sales in the category,” says Carter, “the best pieces have been snapped up by American and British institutions. Over the past several years, however, we have seen far more Indian buyers looking to reclaim a bit of their cultural heritage. Given the interest this sale has generated so far, we believe the prospects for its success are quite good.”

The collection is expected to fetch more than £2 million ($3.1 million). Bonhams holds its Islamic and Indian Art sale, also on October 6; the Arts of the Islamic World at Sotheby’s is October 7; and Christie’s offers Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds on October 8.

source: blouinartinfo.com