Famed auction house Sotheby’s is coming up with its Indian & Southeast Art sale on March 18 in New York during the Spring Asia Week

sales. The sale consists of 120 lots, including fine examples of Modern and Contemporary paintings and photography, Indian Miniatures, and ancient Himalayan works of art. The sale is expected to bring in excess of $2.7 million.

The sale will feature M.F. Husain’s Horses which is estimated at $100,000-150,000, an instance of the subject that the artist returned to repeatedly in his work. In classical Indian art and myth, horses are symbols of the sun itself, of time and knowledge and of fertlity. For Husain, too, they are symbols of the life-sustaining forces.

Another Modern highlight is Akbar Padamsee’s Nude from 1960 painted at the peak of his shortlived gray period which is estimated in the range of $200,000-300,000. At this time, the artist worked with an almost ascetic restraint, renouncing all colour, confining himself to the rigour of working with this monochromatic palette of gray. The nude is a recurring theme in Padamsee’s work, and provides a fascinating insight into the development of his visual language and creative process.

Contemporary works will feature an Untitled work by T.V. Santosh estimated at $150,000-200,000. At the same time, photography offerings will include Vivek Vilasini’s Ambassadors, a print on archival paper estimated at $10,000-15,000. Sotheby’s was the first to offer this artist at auction in September 2008, with another work (The Last Supper) from this series inspired by Renaissance paintings. The section of outstanding Indian Miniatures include 30 lots, among them an illustration from the Sunder Shringar: Radha with her Attendant from 1780 estimated at $15,000-20,000 from a private German collection. Also included are 18th century miniatures from a Nepalese manuscript and important Mughal miniatures.

The works of art section of the sale is highlighted by a Mandala of Manjushri and Pancharaksha, distemper on cloth from 14th century Nepal or Tibet. The piece is estimated at $150,000-200,000. Also featured is a pair of very rare Shaiva Manuscript Covers in polychrome wood from Nepal estimated at $100,000-120,000.