The AstaGuru International Iconic Auction Closes With The White Glove Sale

The 'International Iconic' auction held by AstaGuru on November 23–24, 2023, came to a successful close with a White Glove Sale that brought in a total of INR 53,49,67,383. All of the pieces on display were from well-known and much admired artists from throughout the world.

The selection of works put a focus on the development and significance of contemporary art in the 20th century with masterpieces by artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, Salvador Dali, and Fernando Botero. 

AstaGuru Auction House International Art Consultant Larissa Guimaraes said of the historic sale,

"This November's International Iconic auction continues to show the growing space for global art in India and for India in the global art market."

The auction confirmed the success of international masters in India, with two top lots selling for over $1,000,000 each: a Marc Chagall ('Couple Au Claire De Lune', at USD 1,484,574) and a Salvador Dali ('L'oeil Fleuri,' at USD 1,384,764). The sale of H Claude Pissarro's painting for nearly three times its higher estimate of USD 31,631 demonstrated the interest produced by the availability of works by artists from across the world at a wide range of price ranges.

AstaGuru's ability to introduce Indian consumers to previously unavailable goods and services is indicative of a market that continues to show a favourable response to diverse worldwide artists, media, and price points.

The auction's most noteworthy items are listed below:

Marc Chagall's lot 16 is one of the most interesting items in the catalogue. Chagall's frequent topic of lovers shown inside a dreamlike visual cosmos is exemplified in his work "Couple Au Clair De Lune," or "Couple In Moonlight." Executed in the early 1980s, this masterwork sold for INR 12,61,88,834.

Lot no. 6 is the magnificent work of Surrealist Master Salvador Dali, named "L'oeil Fleuri." Originally commissioned to serve as backdrop for the ballet "Tristan Fou," this almost 13-foot-long oil and tempera piece was purchased for the princely sum of INR 11,77,04,958.

Lot no. 8 is an oil on canvas portrait by Pierre-Auguste Renoir titled "Etude Pour Le Portrait De Coco," which exemplifies Renoir's intimate connection with children and the untouched purity of the human soul. The final sale price was INR 2,33,23,059.

Lot no. 11, H Claude Pissarro's painting titled, "La Mare Des Grisons Chez Lionel" sold for nearly three times its higher estimate for INR ? 26,88,630.

Lot no. 3 is a fantastic example of Picasso's skill with coloured wax and crayon on paper, and is titled "Tête De Faune." The price tag on this purchase was INR 2,82,21,009.

'Parrot,' a work by the legendary pop artist Andy Warhol, was included in Lot No. 18 and was expected to fetch between INR 1,50,00,000 and 2,50,00,000.

Numerous works in the trademark styles of internationally acclaimed modern painters were also offered during the auction. Lot No. 14 was a sculpture by Robert Indiana from his well-known Love Series, and it fetched a price of INR 4,24,05,636. The 'Panda Cubs, Hoyoyo, Zzzzz' by renowned modern artist Takashi Murakami sold for INR 3,42,07,315.

AstaGuru was founded in 2008 and has since become the leading online auction house in India for fine art, antiques, and high-end goods. We help collectors and enthusiasts find, buy, and sell Modern Indian and Contemporary artwork, jewellery, silverware, watches, textiles, mementos of famous people, hard-to-find books, coins, stamps, and automobiles. In 2018, AstaGuru became the first Indian auction house to provide a specific edition for antique and classic automobiles.