PRINSEPS Auctions

Prinseps is an avant-garde research platform that celebrates art with a par excellence archive and library. The name Prinseps is a reference to the Latin word meaning 'first' or 'foremost', to, the princely states (the founder was a collector of postage stamps issued by Princely States), and to James Prinsep, the founding editor of the Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal. Best known for deciphering the Kharosthi and Brahmi scripts of ancient India, James Prinsep’s diligent documentation and illustration of aspects of culture is reflected in Prinseps methodologies and processes.

Having hosted multiple auctions to date Prinseps continues to foster research (check our highlights), curation, and further discovery within the art world. We have been recognized for the same. Following the inaugural auction where Prinseps was entrusted with artworks from the estate of Rathindranath Tagore (son of the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore), subsequent auctions and exhibitions (Gobardhan Ash, Bhanu Athaiya, Rathin Maitra (upcoming), Somnath Hore, etc.) have gone on to bring together the leading names in modern and contemporary art, backed by strong provenances and publications. Over time the brand Prinseps has grown to become a one-stop destination for the discerning collector. We welcome you to a carefully curated platform of eclectic and investment-grade collectibles.