Bonhams to preview Pakistani masterpieces at Dubai Art Fair

Bonhams 1793 Ltd, one of the world’s leading auctioneers of Asian art, are proud to announce their latest auction of Pakistani art, the preview of which will be held in Dubai during the last week of March this year. The auction itself will be held in London on 7th June and will feature the works of over a dozen of Pakistan’s most renowned artists. Among the artists whose works will be on display are Jamil Naqsh, Gulgee, Chughtai and Sadequain. Bonhams is one of the world’s oldest auction houses, as well as the third largest and fastest growing auction house in the world, with a specialist focus on fine arts, jewellery and vintage cars. It is also the world’s leading auction house in Pakistani art and holds world records for sales of most modern Pakistani artists, as well as the largest number of works by Pakistani artists compared to any other auction house. As a part of their worldwide expansion, Bonhams held their first sale of modern and contemporary Arab, Iranian, Indian and Pakistani art in Dubai on 3rd March 2008. It achieved total sales of over US$13million – almost three times the expected amount. Gulgee’s painting ‘Polo Player’ sold for over US$336,000, more than four times the reserve price of US$50,000. The upcoming exhibition is the first time that Bonhams is previewing at an auction in Dubai. Speaking about the auction, Mehreen Rizvi-Khursheed, who heads Bonhams’ Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art Department, said, “Pakistani art has a rich history. There is a great deal of talent that remains untapped within this part of the world and Bonhams is proud and excited to be taking this heritage to the world.”