Form & Vision: Modern Art • Furniture • Sculptural Jewelry | April 22, 2026
Wed, Apr 22, 2026 10:00AM EDT
Live Auction
Lot 20
Krishen Khanna, Woman with Basket
Estimate: $30,000 - $50,000
Sold for
$75,000
Sold Price excludes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $100 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
(Indian, born 1925)
Nude carrying a basket, circa 1958, signed vertically lower right "K Khanna", oil on canvas, 38-3/8 x 26 in.; parcel gilt and painted wood frame, 41-3/8 x 29-1/8 x 1-1/4 in.
Provenance: Purchased in India circa 1958 by Watson Sims, Bureau Chief, Associated Press, New Delhi; by descent in the family
Note: A member of the influential Progressive Artists' Group formed in Bombay in the late 1940s, Kristen Khanna stands among the early pioneers of modernism in India and one of the last surviving voices of that movement. While many of his contemporaries pursued pure abstraction, he turned instead toward the human figure - rendering everyday life with quiet sensitivity and psychological depth. His work reflects a deliberate shift away from abstraction toward figuration, grounded in a deep concern for the individual shaped by circumstance. As he noted in an interview, he sought to emphasize "the human beings caught up in their particular condition," depicting the emotional and social realities of his subjects. Continuing to live and work in New Delhi, Khanna remains deeply committed to his exploration of the human condition. This work was acquired by Watson Sims, then Bureau Chief of the Associated Press in New Delhi, and has remained out of the public market ever since.
Available payment options
Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.
Purchased in India circa 1958 by Watson Sims, Bureau Chief, Associated Press, New Delhi; by descent in the family
original tacking edge, canvas slightly slack, some surface dirt, some slight draw crackle at proper left nipple； frame with abrasions
Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
