LONDON.- Christie's auction of Exceptional Paintings from The Personal Collection of Prince & Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan totalled £45,760,485 / $60,952,966 / €52,212,713, 6 times the pre-sale auction estimate. The sale was 100% sold, attracting registrants from 20 countries, across 4 continents, with 19% of bidders new to Christie's. This result highlights the demand for museum quality works from this category. A Family of Cheetahs in a Rocky Landscape, attributed to Basawan, Mughal India, circa 1575-80 led the sale, setting a world auction record price for a Classical Indian or Islamic painting, realising £10,245,000 / $13,646,340 / €11,689,545 (estimate: £700,000 – 1,000,000, achieving 14 times over estimate).

Further notable results include Maharao Umed Singh (R.1771-1819) and Zalim Singh Hunting Tigers, signed by Shaykh Taju, Kotah, Rajasthan, India, dated Samvat 38 / 1781 AD, which sold for £5,052,000 / $6,729,264 / €5,764,332, over 25 times the pre-sale estimate of £200,000 - 300,000. A Prince Hawking, attributed to Muhammad Ali, Mughal India, circa 1610 realised £3,954,000 / $5,266,728 / €4,511,514 (estimate: £700,000 - 1,000,000), while the 16th century portrait of Shah Abu'l-Ma'ali of Kashgar by Dust Muhammad achieved £2,734,000 / $3,641,688 / €3,119,494 (estimate: £500,000 - 700,000).

Sara Plumbly, Christie's Head of Islamic and Indian Art: “The results of the auction of Exceptional Paintings from The Personal Collection of Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan illustrate the enduring appeal of works of art of this calibre with such notable provenance, many of which are regarded as 'icons' in the field of Indian and Persian painting. The public viewing of the collection was extremely well attended, and the energy and enthusiasm in the auction room is reflected in the outstanding prices achieved, including a world auction record for a Classical Indian or Islamic painting. This is a landmark moment for the market for Indian and Islamic art, and is a testament to the discerning eye of Prince and Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan.”

Held during Asian Art Week in London, the auction was Christie's centrepiece to Islamic and Indian Art offered this Autumn, with the bi-annual sale of Art of the Islamic and Indian Worlds including Rugs & Carpets, taking place on Thursday 30 October.