- Online auction featuring 27 lots from the Poonam Amin collection
- A portrait of Raja Serfoji Bhonsale and a painting of Lord Krishna lead the sale at an estimate of Rs 4 – 5 lakhs (US $6,065 – 7,580)
- Each lot valued between Rs 2 – 5 lakhs
- Great opportunity for collectors to purchase Tanjore paintings at attractive prices
Bangalore, 14 January 2016:
Saffronart is set to begin the year with an Online Auction of Tanjore Paintings on 20 – 21 January 2016. Dedicated entirely to Tanjore paintings, the auction is the first of its kind to be held by a major auction house in India. The auction features 27 lots from the Poonam Amin collection. Dated circa 1950, they are valued between Rs 2 – 5 lakhs each, with a total estimate of Rs 72 – 99 lakhs (US $ 109,215 – 150,120).
Leading the sale are two paintings estimated between Rs 4 – 5 lakhs (US $6,065 – 7,580). Lot 6: Raja Serfoji Bhonsale departs from the religious themed paintings that largely dominate this painting tradition. Embellished with gold leaf and coloured glass beads, it is a splendid portrait of one of the greatest patrons of the Tanjore paintings. Lot 11: Krishna Adored By Rukmini And Satyabhama stands out for its elaborate embellishment and intricate detailing of jewellery and clothing.
The Tanjore painting tradition emerged as a distinct style in the court of the Maratha rulers of Thanjavur in the 17th century and peaked under the reign of Serfoji Bhonsale II in the 18th century. These mainly religious themed paintings were displayed on walls in homes and evolved out of the growing prominence of the Bhakti movement which focussed on private worship. Tanjore painting differ from other paintings of the region in terms of medium, material and technique.
Aditya Ruia, curator of the sale, says, “The Tanjore School as we know it today, is an amalgamation of styles and painting traditions from the Vijayanagar period to the British era. Glass and gold leaf were used to recreate the mythical living abodes of the Gods as referred to in religious texts. Many significant Tanjore paintings are now part of important museum and gallery collections around the world.”
The auction begins at 8 pm IST on Wednesday, 20 January, and will take place on saffronart.com. All lots can be viewed online. The paintings are on display till 21 January at the Saffronart gallery in Prabhadevi.