Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art

Christie's is delighted to offer dedicated sales of classical Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Works of Art in New York, Paris, Hong Kong, and London throughout the year. Our sales feature fine Buddhist, Hindu, Jain and Islamic painting, sculpture, ritual implements and decorative objects, from the second millennium BCE through to the early 20th century.

Our success with single-owner sales of Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art is unparalleled in our industry, and include the collections of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth (among the top ten most expensive collections sold at Christie’s in any category realising a combined total of US$134,091,188), Edita and Andrew Sporer, James and Marilynn Alsdorf, Thomas Solley, Doris Duke, Florence and Herbert Irving, and The Pratapaditya Pal Family. Christie’s has established numerous world record prices in various categories in the field including the 12th century Indian Pala period black stone Lokanatha Avalokiteshvara sold for US$24,633,500, a 13th century Nepalese gilt copper alloy Buddha Shakyamuni sold for HK$80,200,000, and the 3rd century Gandharan gray schist relief panel of Buddha Shakyamuni with bodhisattvas sold for US$6,630,000.

Christie’s is a regional and global leader in the field due to the experience and expertise of our specialist team. We focus on serving our clients with an informed global perspective that leverages Christie’s unrivalled sales platforms of auctions and private sales. We are confident that the expertise and passion of our international team of specialists, together with our unparalleled track record, will result in the highest possible financial return. We welcome your enquiry for a gratis, confidential valuation, or to discuss buying and selling with Christie’s.

A Large and Important Black Stone Figure of Lokanatha Avalokiteshvara

Upcoming auctions

VIEW PAST AUCTIONS

28 Oct
Live
Exceptional Paintings from the Personal Collection of Prince & Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan
London
3 Nov
Live
Indian, Himalayan And Southeast Asian Art
Hong Kong

Contact us

From free valuations to market advice, our specialists are here to answer your questions.

Edward Wilkinson
Global Head of Department
+4420 7389 2302
ewilkinson@christies.com
London
Edward Wilkinson is the Global Head of Classic Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art at Christie’s, based in London.

Widely recognized as a leading specialist in the field, Wilkinson has played a pivotal role in shaping the international market for South and Southeast Asian art over the past two decades. He has overseen numerous high-profile and record-breaking auctions across major global centres including Sydney, London, New York, and, more recently, in Paris and Hong Kong.

Prior to joining Christie’s, Wilkinson served as Executive Director of Bonhams Asia and was the Global Head of the Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art department. In 2012, he established the department’s presence in New York, significantly expanding Bonhams’ reach in the category. Among the many landmark sales he has overseen are the Speelman Collection of Himalayan Art (2024), the Claude de Marteau Collection (2022–2023), the Maitri Collection (2017), selections from the Paul F. Walter Collection (2012), the Estate of Natasha Eilenberg (2012), and Masterworks by V.S. Gaitonde from the George Gund Estate (September 2014).

Earlier in his career, Wilkinson was head of department at Sotheby’s, New York, responsible for major sales including Contemporary Indian Painting from the Davida and Chester Herwitz Collection (1999), The Philip Goldman Collection of Himalayan Art (2002), The Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck Collection (2003), and The Paul F. Walter Collection (2003).

He also worked as a Consultant and Department Specialist of Oceanic Art for Sotheby’s African and Oceanic Art Department and previously served as Executive Head of Lawson’s Asian and Tribal Art Department in Sydney.
Wilkinson’s has served as Vice President of the Oceanic Art Society in Sydney and as a committee member of the Oriental Rug Society of New South Wales. From 2009 to 2015, he was Chair of the Southern Asian Arts Council at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, contributing to institutional scholarship and programming in the field.