Bidsvilla, an online auction based marketplace, in alliance with Conferro Heritae, a sister concern of the London based Conferro Auctions, are together rolling out an online auction series for aficionados this October. An exclusive preview was held on recently at Alhambra, St.Regis, Mumbai. The Bidsvilla-Conferro association will auction art and collectables worth Rs. 12 Crores on the site www.bidsvilla.com.
As part of the preview Bidsvilla showcased the inventory for the three auctions categories including some never seen before items. In the vintage publications section there was an original 1906 “India Gazzette” Newspaper and an original copy of “Baapu ke path par” from 1948 that is signed by the late J.B Kriplani ,A special 1944 collectors lot: Sikh Sepoys in action in Italy during World WarII.”
In addition to various international and national newspapers, magazines, cartoons and advertisements like 50 years and older editions of The New York Times, Japan Times, The times of Vietnam, The Hindu etc. In the movie memorabilia section, along with very rare inventory from Baiju Bawra, there was a special S.D. Burman lot to commemorate the 40 years of the legend’s death on 30th October 1975 along with old posters, synopsis, lobby cards, LPs etc. of movies from 1900s like Mughal-e-Azam, Guide, Mother India and Pyaasa among others. It also included a special “Hollywood section” where posters from classics by Alfred Hitchcock and Charlie Chaplin will be up for auction. The Modern and Contemporary Art preview included masterpieces by legends like F.N Souza, V.S Gaitonde, M.F Husain, and R.N Tagore, Jamini Roy, N.L Bose, among other towering figures of Indian art.
Speaking about the association, Mr.Girijesh Jha, Co-founder, Bidsvilla said “We are really excited about this association with Conferro Heritae. This collaboration will strengthen Bidsvilla’s efforts to bring art and heritage to the discerning Indian collectors and buyers by deploying our state of the art technology platform. We aim to promote auctions as a means to preserve and propagate our rich culture and heritage as we think that India is replete with a lot of collectibles that have an inextricable cultural and historical significance. The planned online auctions are a first of its kind event that will offer some rare collectibles from across the world and India whose acquisition will bestow upon the buyer a timeless legacy and an everlasting memory via an ephemeral indulgence”
Mr. Sharan Seth, Director, Conferro Heritae said, “We strongly believe that this association will boost our endeavour to promote our rich history and cultural heritage as we aim to provide rare and exclusive collectibles through innovative auction formats and technologies to collectors and institutions. The association is a reflection of the evolution of online trading in the art and collectibles industry globally which provides a transparent and convenient framework for acquiring valuable historic items.”
Mr. Ajay Seth, Collector, said, ‘Global art, literature and heritage are best shared through online auctions. For collectors, this is a big ease that they now have the choice of viewing and adding collectibles to their passionately curated portfolios. The biggest expectation for any collector is the transparency and simplicity involved in the process’
The evening also witnessed a delighteful performance by World Renowned and Internationally Acclaimed Sitar Maestro Niladri Kumar from ‘Sitar Funk’. He will be performing with his ‘100’ year old precious Sitar. This Sitar is of Maakhanlal make which is much earlier than the Hiren Roy era of sitar make. Anyone who owns this, will be carrying a divine and supreme symbol of indian Legacy & Heritage and the philanthropic joy of supporting music and talent to the deserving.
Niladri Kumar will auction this Sitar later this month for the Cause of Music Training for the Underprivilegd.
Auction at www.bidsvilla.com
Vintage Publications, 13th & 14th October
Movie Memorabilia, 16th & 17th October
Fine Arts, 19th & 20th October