Making new waves: Jagdish Swaminathan's sculpture sold at an unexpected bid

It’s no surprise that the works of modern Indian artists, especially from the Bombay Progressive Artists’ group, command high bids in auctions. However, it’s unexpected high prices fetched by unlikely artists that make such auctions more interesting.



In a recent ‘no reserve’ online auction, while the works of MF Husain (sold for Rs 81.34 lakh), Jehangir Sabavala (Rs 58.30 lakh) and SH Raza (Rs 47.15 lakh) fetched high prices, it was Jagdish Swaminathan’s sculpture which sold for a meteoric increase of 767 per cent from its highest estimate value of Rs 3 lakh. The bid for the 1970 untitled (Bird) bronze sculpture closed at Rs 23 lakh. The piece is one of only 10 sculptures the artist ever created.



Meanwhile, Husain’s 1990 untitled acrylic work, Jehangir Sabavala’s ‘Plum — Dark Twilight’ and SH Raza’s ‘Bindu -Panchtatva’ sold well within the estimated price range.