Leading among the foremost numismatic auction houses, the father-son duo of Farokh and Malcolm Toddywalla are moving to selling classical art. Their first foray into Indian art will be with a live auction on February 24, 2022 at The Rendezvous, Taj Mahal Hotel. "My father has dabbled in collectibles personally for nearly 50 years… It was time to spread the expertise and knowledge around… People are interested in art…They only need a well curated collection,” Malcolm told Parsiana on February 10. On sale are 111 lots comprising paintings in multiple styles — Pahari, Company, Provincial Mughal and Central India; painted, gilded and appliqued devotional textiles like pichhvais (backdrops to religious idols) and coverlets; sculptures and relief panels in stone, bronze and wood; carved, gilded and enameled decorative items in wood and silver. The objects were on view before the auction in Bombay, Delhi and Bangalore; bids can be submitted online and in person.
Top: Artefacts from Toddywalla Auctions’ foray into fine art;
above: Farokh (l) and Malcolm Toddywalla
Farokh is the president of the Mumbai Coin Society and past president of the South Asia region of the Oriental Numismatic Society London. Malcolm has a masters degree in numismatics and archeology from Bombay University.
"An art dealer is happiest when his pieces find a good home…To that extent I love everything that is on sale,” said Malcolm. But he did admit to a certain fondness for a 19th century five-headed lingam cover in bronze from Lahore. "It is very rare to find this in the market,” he said. The Bahadur Shah Zafar portrait in Delhi Company School style depicting the emperor leaning on a bolster and holding a hookah by a water body is also interesting, Malcolm remarked.
Their catalog lists five subject matter experts who the Toddywallas consulted for the sale. "They were involved in authentication, cataloging and research on the items,” Malcolm said. "We will definitely be doing more art related auctions in the future…There is interest (and) only limited authentic sources for the public to go to,” ended Malcolm. F. J.