Bonhams auctions – take a look at some of the most exquisite Indian artwork and idols under the hammer for thousands of dollars

Auction price – $10,000-15,000

Dating back to the 10th or 11th century, these three miniature figures representing Vishnu, Vaishnavi and a Rishi are from the Pala Empire of the Northeastern Indian region. The Pala dynasty ruled the regions of Bihar and Bengal for as long as 400 years and the rulers were strong followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism.

Auction price – $4000-6000

From the 8th or 9th century, the sandstone sculpture is from the coastal state of Odisha in India. Even today, sandstone sculptures are a big part of Odisha’s heritage, with stone carving being one of the most important arts of the state.

Auction price – $6000-8000

Finding its origins in Himachal Pradesh from the 11th century, this copper figure of Lord Ganesha is a magnificent one. “A small but charming bronze...may well be from the Western Himalaya and reflects the Pratihara style. Framed by a simple arch [Ganesha] stands in the posture of a resting dancer with his right foot in kunchita pose with the heel raised,” wrote Pratapaditya Pal, an Indian scholar of Southeast Asian and Himalayan art and culture, about the sculpture.

Auction price – $6000-8000

“In vibrant colours, the painting shows Krishna and Balarama dancing, wrestling, and playing practical jokes with their friends the gopas (cowherds),” is how Bonhams describes the colourful painting.

From the Mewar region (a part of modern day Rajasthan), the original was produced under the then king Amar Singh II – the son of Maharana Jai Singh. The painting is a representation of the Bhagavata Purana, the most celebrated and sacred text for the Hindus.

Auction price – $5000-7000

This artwork is from the late 18th century from Delhi or Faizabad. Illustrated with opaque watercolours and gold on paper, it is a part of the Ramagala series. Ramagala paintings represent the musical notes or ragas, and they are personified with a hero and his wife (raginis).

According to the Harvard Museum, “Todi Ragini evokes both tenderness and sadness, and is commonly represented by a young heroine (nayika) in a forest separated from her lover.”