Record-Breaking Sales at Saffronart's Summer Auction Highlight Art Market's Strength

Saffronart's recent summer auction has set new benchmarks in the art market, with Manjit Bawa's Untitled (Radha) selling for Rs 18 crore, more than double its estimate. The two-day event achieved a remarkable Rs 108.24 crore, marking the highest total for a summer auction by the platform. Other notable sales included works by MF Husain and FN Souza, showcasing a strong demand for modern Indian art. The auction results indicate a robust confidence among collectors, reinforcing the global appeal of South Asian art.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 18:02 IST

Saffronart's Landmark Summer Auction

Manjit Bawa’s artwork, Untitled (Radha), a striking portrayal of Krishna’s beloved, was sold for an impressive Rs 18 crore during Saffronart’s online auction on June 16. This sale not only marked the highest price of the auction but also surpassed its maximum estimate of Rs 7 crore by more than double.

This auction proved to be a significant event for the platform, as the two-day event from June 15-16 amassed a total of Rs 108.24 crore, marking the highest revenue ever achieved by Saffronart for a summer online auction, with every piece finding a buyer.

Bawa’s other piece, Bull (1985), also performed exceptionally well, selling for Rs 4.28 crore, which is over five times its estimated value, showcasing the ongoing demand for his unique style characterized by fluid forms and vibrant colors.

In addition to Bawa, the auction featured several notable sales. MF Husain’s Two Women (circa 1950s) sold for Rs 12.40 crore, while FN Souza’s St Sebastian (1957) fetched Rs 7.33 crore. Other significant sales included Ganesh Pyne’s The Robot (2002) at Rs 5.64 crore, Jagdish Swaminathan’s Untitled (Bird, Tree and Mountain) (1976) at Rs 4.80 crore, and KG Subramanyan’s untitled work from the 1960s, which sold for Rs 1.69 crore.

A surprising highlight was Badhan Das, whose untitled piece sold for Rs 45.12 lakh, achieving 32 times its higher estimate and setting a new auction record for the artist. Similarly, Satish Sinha’s untitled oil on board sold for Rs 78.96 lakh, 24 times its estimate. Collectively, works from the F N Souza Studio generated Rs 1.29 crore, with some individual pieces selling for up to 100 times their estimates.

Out of the 130 lots available, 34 exceeded their higher estimates, and 16 sold for more than double their projected values. These results follow a remarkable spring season where Saffronart set a global record for modern Indian painting with Raja Ravi Varma’s Yashoda and Krishna. The summer auction results affirm that confidence among collectors in the South Asian art market remains robust and globally connected.