A unique and historic tinsel garland presented to Mahatma Gandhi during the iconic Dandi March in 1930 failed to meet its target price at a recent British auction. The garland, which Gandhi-ji wore during the Salt March, is expected to fetch between P20 and P30,000 but remains open for bidding.
“I am very surprised that the 'Gandhi Garland' did not find a home on the day of the auction,” says Kristina Sanne, head of sales at the auction house specialized in fine arts and antiques.
“That said, we have had quite a lot of interest since the sale and hope to sell it to the highest bidder. It deserves a great home,” she said.
The garland is an important piece of Indian history and consists of a large tear-shaped medallion of pink fabric on a card, with silver and gold thread and sequins applied to it. Trimmed with gold tinsel, it features four smaller rectangular medallions and two triangular medallions similarly decorated.
The garland was presented to Gandhi-ji by Nanduben Kanuga, wife of Dr. Balvantrai N Kanuga, Gandhi-ji's personal physician. It has remained in the Kanuga family collection until now.
Although the Gandhi-ji garland failed to sell, other highlights of the auction saw fierce bidding. A beautiful illustration from a Bhagavata Purana series from Punjab sold for GBP 27,700, exceeding its estimate. A group of six Rajput Equestrian Portraits from Rajasthan grossed GBP 20,160, and an album of Kalighat Paintings sold for GBP 21,420.
According to Kristina Sanne, head of sales at the auction house, bidding was hectic throughout the Indian art department, with more than 90% of the lots sold. This demonstrates the continued resilience of the Indian art market.
