Sotheby's Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art Auction Could Realize $5.52m

3 min read · 14 Sep 2026

Old Men Playing Chess by Bhupen Khakhar estimated at $676,400 (low) to $947,000 (high). Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Mithuna Crimson by M.F. Husain estimated at $541,100 (low) to $811,700 (high). Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Untitled (Head of a Woman) by Rabindra Nath Tagore estimated at $365,300 (low) to $473,500 (high). Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Paysage Rouge by Sayed Haider Raza estimated at $338,200 (low) to $473,500 (high). Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Untitled (Benares) by M.F. Husain estimated at $338,200 (low) to $473,500 (high). Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Old Men Playing Chess by Bhupen Khakhar estimated at $676,400 (low) to $947,000 (high). Image courtesy of Sotheby's

Bhupen Khakhar Old Men Playing Chess (Undated) is the highest-value lot announced by Sotheby's in its 'Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art' auction in London on September 29.

Pre-sale low estimates total $5.52m (GBP4.08m).

Preview snapshot

73 works are for sale.
Estimates total: $5.52m (low) and $7.77m (high), excluding premiums.
0 lots have undisclosed estimates.

The highest-value lot announced is: Bhupen Khakhar, Old Men Playing Chess (Undated), which is estimated to sell for between $676,400 and $947,000.

Guaranteed lots

No sales have a guarantee.

Terms and definitions

Estimates and totals are converted into US dollars.

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.

All figures are accurate at time of publication.

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Bhupen Khakhar

London

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