Delhi preview and panel discussion to precede major sale
Todywalla Auctions is set to unveil one of its showcase of Classical Indian Art on 16 March 2026 at the Taj Mahal Palace, Colaba, Mumbai. The landmark auction will feature 148 exceptional works spanning painting, stone and bronze sculpture, Indian silver, jewellery, and textiles. It will be offering a panoramic view of India’s classical artistic traditions.
The sale is curated to reflect the spiritual, courtly, and aesthetic diversity of Classical Indian Art. It brings together masterpieces that embody centuries of refined craftsmanship. Among the highlights are 18th-century Pahari paintings illustrating scenes from the Ramayana. And a rare Radha and Krishna composition attributed to Faqirullah Khan, a Mughal court artist under Emperor Muhammad Shah. The latter bears striking similarity to a work by the same painter in the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A), London.
The sculpture section promises equal significance, led by a striking Kushan sandstone lion from Mathura (2nd–3rd century AD) and an early Vishnu bronze from Himachal Pradesh (8th–9th century). Other regional bronzes, silver artefacts, jewellery, and Pahadi textiles—noted for their ritualistic and artistic value—round out the collection.
“The auction celebrates India’s artistic heritage through works that deserve spaces of prominence in private museums and institutions,” said Malcolm Todywalla of Todywalla Auctions, reflecting on the importance of this carefully assembled sale.
Delhi Preview and Panel Discussion: The Journey of Classical Indian Art
Ahead of the Mumbai auction, a Delhi preview will be held at Bikaner House from 6–9 March 2026, featuring a special discussion on 6 March at 6:30 pm titled “Collectors as Custodians – The Journey of Classical Indian Art.”
The panel will include Adarsh Saran, one of India’s most senior collectors of art and antiquities; Maharaja Aishwarya Chandra Katoch of Lambagraon (Kangra), owner of one of the largest collections of Kangra miniatures; and Jayesh Mathur, an art historian and specialist in classical Indian painting and sculpture, who will moderate the conversation.
Additional viewing sessions are scheduled in Bangalore and Mumbai prior to the final sale.
Auction Details:
Classical Indian Art Auction
Date: 16 March 2026
Venue: Taj Mahal Palace, Colaba, Mumbai
Categories: Paintings | Stone & Bronze Sculpture | Indian Silver & Jewellery
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