Osian's Auction Catalogue Forty Masterpieces | March 2003

116 117 Intuitive-Logic: The Next Step Auctions of Indian Art - Classical, Folk, Tribal, Modern & Contemporary Traditions New Delhi: HEART in assoc. with Mapin 1999 11” x 8.25” / Paperback; 264pp / Rs. 3000 This auction extended the scope of documentation and activity beyond Indian Modern & Contemporary Art. For the first time, Indian Miniatures and Illustrated Manuscripts, Tanjore Paintings, Folk and Tribal Art, Metalware & Textiles, were sold alongside Modern & Contemporary Art. The economic and structural implications of this event for the domestic arts and antiquities market were far reaching, and proved a turning point in Tuli’s institution-building work. Total Lots Offered/Sold : 272/156 % Lots Sold : 57 Total Sale Value Rs. /US$ : 26,931,450 /626,300 India: the Passionate Detachment Auctions of Indian Modern and Contemporary Art & Books Mumbai: Osian’s February 2001 11” x 8.25” / Paperback; 240pp / Rs. 2500 Osian’s inaugural curated auction by Tuli; it demonstrated that high quality works by established artists and those with clear historical significance will achieve good prices. A greater discrimination amid the buying public was evident. This auction also represented for the first time, the work of India’s only Authentication Department for Indian Modern Art in weeding out fakes of old masters. Interest in the subject by International Museums was also detected during this sale. Total Lots Offered/Sold : 219/137 % Lots Sold : 63 Total Sale Value Rs. /US$ : 18,503,000 /401,400 A Historical Mela: The ABC of India The Art, Book & Cinema Mumbai: Osian’s March 2002 11” x 8.25” / Paperback; 320pp / OUT OF PRINT Here, for the first time, Tuli presented rare art works from Hindi Cinema, within their historical context, on the same platform as works of modern and contemporary fine art and rare books, in an unique effort to re-examine the aesthetics of popular Indian cinema. To have transformed these neglected art forms and provide them artistic respect and serious economic attention was the first step in establishing a credible infrastructure for the film poster & memorabilia. Total Lots Offered/Sold : 187/105 % Lots Sold : 56 Total Sale Value Rs. /US$ : 5,450,000 /113,000 India: A Historical Lila Auctions of Indian Modern and Contemporary Paintings, Drawings and Graphic Art Mumbai: Osian’s October 2001 11” x 8.25” / Paperback; 200pp / OUT OF PRINT Osian’s successfully introduced several artists into the international arena for the first time: B.K. Ganguly, S.C. Ghosh, R.N. Chakravorty, Baburao Painter, Prankrishna Pal, Haku Shah, D. Venkatapathy, M. Senathipathi & M. Suriyamoorthy. By auctioning works of an aesthetic sensibility removed from the mainstream tastes, collectors were prompted to question their aesthetic preconceptions and notions. The catalogue once again set new standards in documentation and design. Total Lots Offered/Sold : 148/71 % Lots Sold : 48 Total Sale Value Rs. /US$ : 11,222,400 /235,300 A Historical Epic: India in the Making 1757-1950 From Surrender to Revolt, Swaraj to Responsibility Mumbai: Osian’s August 2002 11” x 8.25” / Hardbound; 208pp / Rs. 3000 A Historical Epic once again broke new ground, opening out a range of new options for the study and dissemination of various branches of Indian art, culture and history. The vast scale and vision of this project is beautifully presented through the format of the exhibition-auction catalogue. This is turn takes forward the process of transforming the infrastructure-building function of the book, and its ability to help change material systems, which range from the education of the fine arts & history to the establishing of financial benchmarks for the arts. Like all previous publications this has also become a collector’s item. Total Lots Offered/Sold : 150/94 % Lots Sold : 63 Total Sale Value Rs. /US$ : 8,237,250 /171,600 Masterpieces & Museum-Quality Indian Modern & Contemporary Paintings Mumbai: Osian’s December 2002 11 x 8.25“ / Paperback; 336p / Rs. 3,000 This publication superlatively showcased one of the finest collections of Indian Modern & Contemporary Paintings ever brought together for sale. The Works have been historically contextualised through seven sections: The Art of Portraiture/ Studies of the Female & Other Life Forms/ Religious Icons & Narratives/ Folk & Tribal Art as Inspirational Platform/ Demons of Unrelenting Introspection/ Social Responsibility as the Aesthetic Work Ethic/ Nature, Landscape & Cityscape as Inspiration, with clear pricing and illustration references. A well-researched text provides valuable curatorial and documentational support beautifully presented through the now-acclaimed design formats of Tuli & Trivedi. Detailed Artist Bibliographies constitute an additional and valuable research resource. This volume is the fifth in the Auction Series published by Osian’s as part of its larger programme to establish a credible and integrated infrastructure for the arts in India. Total Lots Offered/Sold : 147/85 % Lots Sold : 58 Total Sale Value Rs. /US$ : 30,349,000 /632,300