Asian Art in London

The highlight of Bonhams’ Chinese art series conducted in London last week was the sale of the Parry collection of Chinese art.

Depicting sinewy limbed bearers relaxing beside a mahannah, this work 'Palanquin Bearers at Rest' by George Chinnery (1774-1852) is considered the largest and most accomplished figure drawing of the artist’s long career.

This 19th century painting illustrates a scene from the Devi Mahatmya, a famous Sanskrit text centred on the figure of the Hindu mother goddess Devi.

Asian antique jewellery specialist Sue Ollemans offers this Indian pair of early 19th century earrings made in Lucknow.

One of Persian scholar Imam Ghazali’s (1058-1111AD) best-known works, Kimiya-yi Sa’ādat (The Alchemy of Happiness), was compiled late in his lifetime during a period of unrest between Sufi mystics and Islamic scholars – the former accused of overphilosophising Islam and neglecting the importance of ritual practices.

Asian Art in London: Indian & Islamic Art takes place from October 21-30.

The awards shortlist for Asian Art in London’s Indian and Islamic season have been announced. The Antiques Trade Gazette Award for Outstanding Indian or Islamic Work of Art from an Auction House and the Apollo Award for Outstanding Indian or Islamic Work of Art from a Dealer each have three finalists. Winners will be announced on October 21.

This Indian gold necklace with a fringe of ruby and imitation pearl drops and flowerheads of green paste and moonstone has a guide of £1800-2400 at Bonhams’ sale of Islamic and Indian art on October 25.

Made from fired clay, this 12in (30cm) high bust head of a bodhisattva comes from a little explored group of sculptures found at Hund, a small township on the ancient site of Udabhandapura in Pakistan, once the capital of the Hindu Shahi kingdom.

Hummingbirds collect nectar against a colourful flora and fauna backdrop in this large 3ft (91cm) square oil on canvas, painted earlier this year by Sri Lankan artist Senaka Senanayake (b.1951).

Propped up against a huge bolster and bedecked in jewels sits Navneetpriyaji, one of the child manifestations of the Hindu deity Krishna.

Made from green chlorite mineral rather than bronze, this 8th century Kashmiri sculpture group represents the Hindu god Vishnu with his two attendants, Gadadevi and Chakrapurusha.

Adam’s Asian art sale in Dublin on November 23 includes this landscape titled Sunset Kanchenjunga by Jamini Prokash Gangooly (1876-1953) estimated at €4000-6000.

Roseberys’ sale of Islamic, Indian Art & Antiquities on October 26 includes this large Seljuq bronze incense burner modelled in the form of a bird.

Asian Art in London has announced the dates for its autumn 2021 season and the launch of a 60-page digital sales magazine called Spotlight.

An early 19th century royal manuscript produced for the Nawab of Sachin, c.1830, was given the Antiques Trade Gazette prize for Outstanding Indian or Islamic Work of Art from an Auction House when the annual Asian Art in London awards were announced last week.

As referenced in an inscription to the opening folio, this early 19th century manuscript – offered at Roseberys in south London – was produced for the Nawab of Sachin, Ibrahim Muhammed Yakut Khan I Bahadur (r.1802-53).