Edward Wilkinson
Global Head of Department | Indian, Himalayan & Southeast Asian Art
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.
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.
