3 min read · 19 Sep 2024
The Radiant Spheres by Jehangir Sabavala sold for $730,800. Image courtesy of Christie's
A work by Jehangir Sabavala was the headline sale at Christie's 'South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art' auction on September 18 in New York.
The star lot was: Jehangir Sabavala, The Radiant Spheres (1963), which sold for $730,800, 192% above its $250,000 low estimate. It has been traded once in the past.
The outperformer sold for 950% above its low estimate. Mohammad Kibria, Earth (1966), sold for $63,000 ($6,000 low estimate). It has been traded once in the past.
Breakdown of results against auction house estimates that are disclosed
No sales had a guarantee.
2 works were bought-in, including: Francis Newton Souza, Resurrected Christ (1962), estimated at $600,000 (low) to $800,000 (high). It has been traded 3 times in the past.
4 works were withdrawn before the sale, including: Abanindranath Tagore, Untitled (Queen) (Undated) estimated at $20,000 (low) to $30,000 (high).
All results include the fees and premiums added to the price of a work of art when the auctioneer's hammer falls. Sale prices are compared to the auction house’s low estimate, which do not include premiums.
Guarantees: Sometimes an auction house guarantees to pay a seller for a work, regardless of whether the bidding reaches the reserve price, a figure that is typically confidential.
Bought-in: If there are no bids for a work, or if bidding falls short of the reserve price, the lot is unsold or “bought-in”.
Withdrawn: This happens when a seller decides, for whatever reason, to withdraw a work before the bidding begins.
Premiums: Typically a sliding-scale of charges paid in addition to the hammer price by the buyer, plus any other fees.