South India

James and Marilynn Alsdorf, pictured in Miami in 1950. Photograph courtesy of the consignor For renowned Chicago collectors and philanthropists James and Marilynn Alsdorf, collecting art represented a unique opportunity for exploration, adventure, and the pursuit of beauty. ‘We looked for objects,’ Marilynn said, ‘to delight our eyes and our souls.’ Over the course of their four-decade marriage, the couple assembled a remarkable collection of artworks and objects spanning all eras and areas of the world. ‘The Alsdorf Collection is... [Lire la suite]

Lot 123. A carved ivory comb depicting Krishna, South India, 17th-18th century; 14.2cm. Estimate 3,000 — 5,000 GBP. Lot sold 7,500  GBP. Photo Sotheby's carved in relief on both sides, one side depicting dancing Krishna and the reverse showing the infant Balakrishna suckling from Yashoda's breast, supported on a lotus pedestal flanked by yalis and surrounded by acanthus scrolls emanating from a kirtimuka, old collection inventory number SE5.46 in black ink. ... [Lire la suite]

Lot 237. A gilt-bronze figure of Padmapani, Nepal, Licchavi revival style, circa 17th century; Hauteur: 24,8 cm. (9 ¾ in.). Estimate EUR 70,000 - EUR 90,000. Price realised EUR 81,250. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019 Il est représenté en tribhanga sur un socle lotiforme. Sa main droite est en varadamudra, sa main gauche en vitarkamudra tient une tige de lotus. Il est paré de bijoux et vêtu d'un dhoti incisé de fleurs. Son visage est empreint de sérénité. Ses... [Lire la suite]

Lot 237. An important bronze figure of Uma, South India, Chola period, 12th century; Hauteur: 51 cm. (20 1/8 in.). Estimate EUR 100,000 - EUR 150,000. Price realised EUR 137,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019 Elle est représentée debout en tribhanga sur une base lotiforme. Son bras gauche tombe le long de son corps, sa main droite en katakahastamudra tenait à l'origine un lotus. Elle est parée de bijoux et vêtue d'un sari. Son visage est empreint de sérénité. Ses yeux... [Lire la suite]

Lot 123. A gold dagger hilt, South India, 18th century; 4 ins. (10 cm.) high. Estimate USD 12,000 - USD 18,000. Price realised USD 27,500. © Christie's Image Ltd 2019 In the form of a mythical creature issuing a floral spray from its mouth. Christie's. Maharajas & Mughal Magnificence, New York, 19 June 2019

Lot 31. A gold gem set box, possibly South India, 1675-1725; 1 ¼ ins. (3.1 cm.) high; 1 ½ ins. (3.9 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 50,000 - USD 70,000. Price realised USD 32,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019 Set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, the interior and base in plain gold. Literature: Jaffer 2013, p.93-94, no.10. Exhibited: Grand Palais, Paris 2017, p.156, no.118The Doge’s Palace, Venice 2017, p.176, no. 115The Palace Museum, Beijing 2018, p.204, no.119 ... [Lire la suite]

Lot 342. A gem set gold makara-head finial, Mysore or Tanjore, South India, 1775-1825. Estimate USD 60,000 - USD 80,000. Price realised USD 68,750. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019 Set with diamonds, rubies, and sapphires; 1 5/8 ins. (4.1 cm.) long; ¾ in. (2.1 cm.) high; 5/8 in. (1.7 cm.) wide. Literature: Jaffer 2013, p.189, no.60. Exhibited: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 2014, p. 49The Miho Museum, Koka 2016, p.106, no.74Grand Palais, Paris 2017, p.183,... [Lire la suite]

Lot 244. A gem set ruby sword hilt, South India, probably 16th century; 6 7/8 ins. (17.4 cm.) long; 3 ¾ ins. (9.5 cm.) wide. Estimate USD 100,000 - USD 150,000. Price realised USD 112,500. Christie's Images Ltd 2019  Made from a single block of ruby, set with diamonds, those on the ruby added in the early 19th century, green champlevé enamelled quillons.  Exhibited: Grand Palais, Paris 2017, pp.268-69, no.199The Doge’s Palace, Venice 2017, p.284, no.195The... [Lire la suite]

Lot 204. Tipu Sultan’s Magic Box, Mysore, South India, 1780-90; 2 1/8 ins. (5.5 cm.) high; 2 ¼ ins. (5.8 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 100,000 - USD 150,000. Price realised USD 495,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019. Each of the twenty sides of the gold icosahedron decorated with a numeral. Provenance: Tipu Sultan of MysoreGeneral Robert BellSir Charles HopkinsonHans William SothebyIngram BywaterCharles Francis BellChristie’s, London, 10 October 1989, lot 183Sotheby’s, London, 25 May 2005, lot 65.... [Lire la suite]

Lot 262. A gold gem-set hilted dagger (kinjal), Tanjore or Mysore, South India, 1790-1810; 13 3/8 ins. (34.1 cm.) long. Estimate USD 500,000 - USD 700,000. Price realised USD 555,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2019 The hilt in the form of a yali, set with diamonds, rubies and emeralds, steel blade. Literature: Jaffer 2013, p.191, no.65 Exhibited: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York 2014, p.55Grand Palais, Paris 2017, p.172, no.131The Doge’s Palace, Venice 2017, p.200, no.134The Palace... [Lire la suite]