Bhupen Khakhar's Auction Record Jumps 29% With $4.16m Sale

3 min read · 30 Sep 2026

Old Men Playing Chess. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Bhupen Khakhar, Old Men Playing Chess (Undated) sold for $4.16m (GBP3.14m), more than six times the low estimate at Sotheby's in London on September 29.

The sale beat the artist’s previous auction record by $942,200, a 29% rise.

Two Men in Benares (1982). Sold for $3.22m in 2019. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

De-luxe Tailors (1972). Sold for $1.47m in 2017. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Night (1996). Sold for $729,800 in 2014. Image courtesy of Christie's

Muslims Around A Mosque (2001). Sold for $650,500 in 2010. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Artist's studio (1995). Sold for $200,000 in 2006. Image courtesy of Christie's

Two Men in Benares (1982). Sold for $3.22m in 2019. Image courtesy of Sotheby's

The previous record was set by Two Men in Benares (1982), which sold for $3.22m at Sotheby's on June 10, 2019.

Sale Date	Title	Price	Record Increase	Venue	City
September 29, 2026	Old Men Playing Chess	$4.16m	29 %	Sotheby's	London
June 10, 2019	Two Men in Benares	$3.22m	119 %	Sotheby's	London
October 24, 2017	De-luxe Tailors	$1.47m	101 %	Sotheby's	London
June 11, 2014	Night	$729,800	12 %	Christie's	London
September 16, 2010	Muslims Around A Mosque	$650,500	225 %	Sotheby's	New York
September 20, 2006	Artist's studio	$200,000	491 %	Christie's	New York
March 01, 2006	Fishermen	$33,800	-	Osian's	Mumbai

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Bhupen Khakhar

London

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