A set of wooden toys by celebrated painter M.F Husain who is said to have made them when his first child was born is set to be auctioned off.

Husain, who died last year was not only a master painter but had also taken up a regular job and was employed in a toy manufacture factory early in his career.

It is said that the first wooden toy series Husain made was dedicated to his first child, according to auction house Art Bull which has put a couple of gouache on wood toys for sale on November 21.

The two toys, featuring two individual drummers, one seated and the other standing has been sourced from a private collection and are priced between Rs 9,00,000—Rs 13,00,000 and Rs 10,00,000—Rs 15,00,000 each.

“These toys were gifted by Husain to an academician during the early 1960s. She bequeathed them to her brother and they have them in the family ever since,” says the auction house.

Apart from that a set of three works also made during the time his first child was born is also set to go under the hammer.

“Husain took up a regular job of designing nursery furniture at a shop in Mumbai and these works reflect on his daily activities. These works also stand testimony to his personal memories which are finely executed with sensitivity and child like quality simultaneously oozing with innocence,” describes the catalogue accompanying the artworks.

While two are mixed media on paper the other is a pencil sketch on paper. Prices vary between Rs 4,50,000 to Rs 15,00,000.

The third successive Autumn Auction of Art Bull, under the aegis of Siddhartha Tagore, Director Art Konsult also features pre-modern, modern, and contemporary artworks.

Featured artists are Jamil Naqsh from Pakistan, as also F.N Souza, S.H Raza, K.G Subramanyan, Ram Kumar, Jamini Roy and Manjit Bawa. The choice of younger artists features the works of Vivek Vilasini, Shibu Natesan, Ketna Patel, etc.

Rare oil on canvas work of Ramkinkar Baij Vaij is also up for asking. This one-of-a-kind piece of art collectible is expected to be showcased in an upcoming exhibition on the artist by NGMA.

Jamini Roy’s impressionist work artwork, which is one of the very few post impressionist works done by him in this style, is yet another attractive offer at this venue.

F.N Souza’ work on silk, a medium that he has used sparingly, showcases one of the very rare works done by him in this medium.

Manjit Bawa’s miniature on a yellow background is included.

An artwork from Bharti Kher’s maiden 1992 solo exhibition at AIFACS as well as pop artist Ketna Patel’s work on the celebrated Nano car are the other highlights.

For photography buffs on the look out for the unusual there is a large photographic print by Vivek Vilasini as well as a satire by Farhad Hussain.

“This year the focus shall be more on the quality of artworks displayed. They may not be big in size but are impeccable in their artistic quality and exude a certain authenticity and vision,” says Siddhartha Tagore.

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