Paintings by Indian artists Purkhu and Badri Narayan will headline Neue Auctions' Feb. 20th auction

BEACHWOOD, Ohio - Feb. 12, 2021 - PRLog -- A small collection of paintings attributed to the Indian artist Purkhu of Kangra (active circa 1780-1820), two paintings by the Indian artist Badri Narayan (1929-2013), and a 17^th century Shah-nameh (or Book of Kings, Iran's central literary work) are all part of Neue Auctions' online-only fine art and antiques auction planned for Saturday, February 20^th.

The sale – nicknamed A Neue Year Auction – will begin promptly at 11 am Eastern time and features 323 lots of paintings, sculptures, decorative objects, fine furniture, Persian carpets and the auction's headliner: the very fine paintings from India. Internet bidding will be facilitated by Liveauctioneers.com, Invaluable.com and Bidsquare.com. Phone and absentee bids are accepted.

"The collection of paintings by Purkhu is already causing quite a stir with collectors and curators around the world, as they are quite rare," said Cynthia Maciejewski of Neue Auctions. Prices realized typically range from $10,000-$50,000 at auction, depending on the size and medium of the artwork. A Purkhu painting set a record when it hammered for $62,118 at Christie's in 2015.

An opaque watercolor and gold leaf on paper attributed to Purkhu has been conservatively estimated at $10,000-$20,000. The Harivasma illustration, measuring 14 ½ inches by 20 inches (sight, less matte and frame), was painted circa 1800-1820 and depicts Krishna riding Garuda, accompanied by his son Pradyumna with Arjuna, in battle with Indra astride his white elephant.

The paintings by 20^th century Indian artist Badri Narayan include an ink, watercolor and silver leaf on paper titled Man with Pot of Flowers and Unicorn, 21 ¾ inches by 29 inches (sight, less frame) (est. $5,000-$8,000); and a watercolor on paper titled Girl and Bird, 15 inches by 10 inches (sight, less frame) (est. $2,000-$4,000). Both are artist signed with initial in Devanagari.

The Shah-nameh (or Book of Kings, Iran's central literary work) is a rare, 17^th century Persian manuscript with 14 miniature paintings, depicting various court scenes. The book, bound in goat skin, measures 17 inches by 10 inches and carries an estimate of $1,000-$2,000. It's in fragile condition (despite being re-margined in the 19^th century), and has brittle sheets, losses and wear.

To learn more about Neue Auctions and the Neue Year Auction planned for Saturday, February 20^th at 11 am Eastern time, please visit www.neueauctions.com.