Indian Art Appraisals & Valuations

Do you need to get a piece of Indian art valued? It might be a Mughal jade wine cup or an antique figure of Buddha. Our online Indian art expert will evaluate your item and send you a bespoke Indian art valuation within 48 hours, including any comments about the item, as a printable certificate and a web certificate that can be used on eBay or other internet selling platforms. Although there have been collectors in that field for many years, it is an extremely specialised area full of pitfalls for the unwary, so seeking the advice of an experienced specialist is crucial.

Our Indian art expert

Our expert in Indian, Himalayan and South East Asian art was a deputy director at a leading London auction house after working there since 1985. For the last fifteen years he has worked as a dealer and consultant in the field, also writing and lecturing academically on the subject.

The auction market for Indian art

Strengthened by the flourishing Indian economy and a growing number of international collectors, this part of the art and antiques market has been particularly active for the last few years. Together with the ongoing success of the Indian modern and contemporary art, there is a significant interest in traditional Indian art. This covers a large range of materials: from paintings to jade, ivory, jewellery, sculpture or else textiles. This category includes items from Indonesia, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, as well as the region of the Himalayas. There have been many collections’ sales in the past decades, including those of Nathan Halpern or Mineichi Nitta, and they are undoubtedly many more to come.

Classical sculptures often achieve high prices. In 2008, a figure of Buddha from the Gupta period, circa 475 A.D., sold a Christie’s New York for $4.9m. The Gupta period, which last from the 4th to the 6th century, is considered as a period of great sophistication, a golden age for Indian art. The Chola period is also regarded as one of the greatest period for Indian sculpture. A sculpture of Shiva as Brahma, from the Chola period sold for $4m in 2007 at Sotheby’s New York. Paintings are a very attractive field among Indian art and always appeal to collectors. In 2008, a painting by renowned Nainsukh of Guler (circa 1710-1778) made $2,2m at auction. The painting incorporated a self-portrait of the artist, which was a major discovery.

Determining the value of Indian art

There are a number of factors to consider when getting a piece of Indian Art appraised. These include the condition and age of a piece, the material from which it is made and how rare it is. The subject matter and the actual rarity of an object's shape can also be important and this should be considered when deciding whether to buy or sell, as value can vary with fashion. These don't necessarily reflect the age of the piece, as later copies often pay tribute to previous periods and artists. Indian art appraisals from Value My Stuff Now are easy, fast and completely confidential.

Get an online Indian art valuation today

By getting an Indian art appraisal from Value My Stuff Now, you will receive an independent opinion before buying or selling an item at auction, to a dealer or privately. The Indian art appraisal may also be used for insurance purposes (subject to your insurer accepting such certificates) or simply to satisfy your own curiosity! Simply upload a photograph of the piece of Indian art and also of any marks and tell us anything else you might know about the item. Within 48 hours, our Indian art appraiser will send you a complete report, letting you know how much the item is worth. We'll also provide a unique web certificate that can be used in eBay listings or on other internet selling platforms.

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