Auction house Sotheby's opens office in Mumbai

Sotheby’s, the world's leading auction house, has opened an office in Mumbai, and appointed Priyanka Mathew as regional director, in a move aimed at expanding its presence in India.

Through the office, the company will be able to increase the scale and scope of its activities in the country and support a full calendar of events, lectures, exhibitions, and charity sales. The move will also help the company connect with a greater number of new and existing collectors in India through its global network of specialists and auctions.

Sotheby’s International Chairman Robin Woodhead announced Mathew's appointment, besides that of Edward Gibbs as chairman of Sotheby’s India, West Asia and North Africa.
 “We have been active in India for almost three decades, working with the leading collectors in the country and staging regular events in New Delhi and Mumbai.

The art scene in India has never been more vibrant. There are new galleries, museums and initiatives emerging all the time, engaging more people than ever before,” said Mathew.

“Our decision to open an office in Mumbai and appoint Gibbs and Mathew to key roles is a testament to the importance of India to Sotheby’s global business. These initiatives will allow us to provide a more sophisticated level of service to our existing collectors and enable the company to further develop its client base and activities in the country,” said Woodhead.

The announcement coincides with the company’s preview at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, The Ballroom, Apollo Bunder, Mumbai of highlights from its upcoming Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art sale in London in October.

Sotheby’s was the first international auction house to hold an auction in India, when in October 1992 it mounted a sale of Indian, European and Oriental paintings and works of art in New Delhi.

The value of purchases by Indian clients at Sotheby’s has grown at an annual average of 42 per cent over the past five years.