Saffronart to field first auction of 'Indian Folk and Tribal Ar

• Posted by Sindhuri G August 28, 2012 - Filed in Business - 2,213 views

  KOLKATA: Auction house Saffronart will field its first auction of 'Indian Folk and Tribal Art and Objects' on August 21-22, 2012. This auction, the latest in Saffronart's series of sales, will showcase a selection of artworks and artefacts representative of the contemporary visual culture and artistic practices of the country's many folk and tribal groups.
  
  With a total of 75 lots, the auction includes paintings, sculptures, masks, jewelry and functional objects from around the country. The auction catalogue brings together a range of Indian folk and tribal art, with great aesthetic value and timeless appeal, providing an opportunity for avid collectors and first-time buyers to acquire pieces that showcase India's rich artistic heritage and diverse cultural identity.
  
  The auction features several works by Gond artists like Jangarh Singh Shyam, Nankusia Shyam, Shanti Bai and Ram Singh Urveti, as well as works by Warli artist Jivya Soma Mashe and other tribal artists like Bhuri Bai and Pushpa Kumari.
  
  The auction also includes traditional wooden masks from Kerala and Karnataka, tribal jewelry including a pair of gilded silver Akota earrings from Gujarat and silver anklets from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, and a selection of functional objects like a toddy vessel and a bell-metal paan box. One of the works featured in this auction is a wooden Theyyam Dancer's headgear from Kerala.
  
  Speaking about the auction in an email statement, Dinesh Vazirani, CEO and co-founder of Saffronart, said, ""One of our objectives has always been to build awareness and appreciation for India's artistic heritage and traditions. The art market for contemporary Indian tribal and folk arts is still nascent, and with this sale, we hope to develop it by offering collectors an opportunity to acquire original works of art by some of India's most talented folk and tribal artists and craftspeople, and tapping the interest of collectors."" The total lower and higher estimates for Saffronart's auction of Indian Folk and Tribal Art and Objects are Rs 53.36 lakh (US$99,060) and Rs 67.59 lakh (US$125,395) respectively.