New Delhi: A miniature painting depicting a family of cheetahs resting on a patch of lush grass in a rocky landscape, attributed to one of Emperor Akbar’s favourite artists, Basawan, has set a new record for the most expensive classical Indian artwork sold at auction.

The work, titled ‘A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape’ (circa 1575–1580), fetched £10,245,000 (approximately Rs 119.49 crore) at Christie's London on October 28, as part of the sale Exceptional Paintings from The Personal Collection of Prince & Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan. The final price was 14 times its pre-sale estimate, underlining the enduring appeal of early Mughal masterpieces.

Also Read

placeholder

Francis Newton Souza’s works fetch $14.6 million, set double world records

placeholder

A rare Bob Ross auction — and its surprising link to the US funding crisis

Described in the lot essay as “one of the most outstanding and unforgettable early Mughal paintings,” the miniature captures the cheetahs in exquisitely rendered naturalism. A male cheetah lies contentedly while the female nurses one cub and grooms another, beneath the shade of a twisted tree. A tumbling stream completes the tranquil scene. The work has been firmly attributed by leading scholars to Basawan, one of Akbar’s most celebrated artists.

“The results of the auction of Exceptional Paintings from The Personal Collection of Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan illustrate the enduring appeal of works of art of this calibre with such notable provenance, many of which are regarded as 'icons' in the field of Indian and Persian painting,” said Sara Plumbly, Christie's Head of Islamic and Indian Art. “The public viewing of the collection was extremely well attended, and the energy in the auction room is reflected in the outstanding prices achieved, including a world auction record for a classical Indian or Islamic painting. This is a landmark moment for the market for Indian and Islamic art.”

The sale featured 95 works from the collection of Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan, spanning Indian, Persian, and Ottoman art by renowned artists including Dust Muhammad, Ghulam Ali Khan, Bishan Singh, Reza Abbasi, and Levni, as well as pieces from celebrated albums such as the St Petersburg Muraqqa’, the Fraser Album, and the Polier Albums.

The auction was 100 per cent sold out, totalling £45,760,485 (approximately Rs 533.79 crore) and attracting registrants from 20 countries across four continents.

Other notable sales included:

  • Maharao Umed Singh (1771–1819) and Zalim Singh Hunting Tigers, signed by Shaykh Taju, Kotah, Rajasthan, India, 1781 AD – £5,052,000 (approx. Rs 58.94 crore)
  • A Prince Hawking, attributed to Muhammad Ali, Mughal India, circa 1610 – £3,954,000 (approx. Rs 46.12 crore)
  • 16th-century portrait of Shah Abu'l-Ma'ali of Kashgar by Dust Muhammad – £2,734,000 (approx. Rs 31.89 crore)

Basawan’s cheetah miniature now ranks among the most valuable Indian paintings in history, narrowly trailing M.F. Husain’s Untitled (Gram Yatra), which sold for USD 13.75 million at Christie's New York earlier this year.

PTI