A New Chapter

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This exciting new development is led by consultant Beatrice Campi, an independent art advisor, lecturer and auctioneer. With more than twelve years' experience across the auction world and the wider cultural heritage sector, she brings expertise in Islamic and Indian art to the department, led by Yexue Li.

'I am thrilled to join the Sworders team at a time when the arts of South Asia and the Islamic Lands are witnessing unparalleled attention and success. Just in the months of April and May 2026, I counted over ten sales for this art category across the UK and Europe, a telling sign of its rising popularity and buyers' demand,' says Campi.

She will be working alongside Sale Coordinator and Cataloguer Grace Julier, who recently transitioned from Sworders' Fine Interiors team to the Asian Art department. Grace has worked in the auction industry for nearly nine years, with her interests shaped by handling a wide range of objects during her time at a Singaporean auction house, as well as through extensive travel across Southeast Asia.

^{A large Qajar moulded and underglaze-painted pottery figural tile, late 19th century, Persian (Sold for £7,150)} 

Indian, Islamic, and Southeast Asian art has undoubtedly experienced a surge of demand at auction in recent years, with record-breaking results, for example, Christie's 'Exceptional Paintings from the Personal Collection of Prince & Princess Sadruddin Aga Khan' achieved a final total of nearly £46,000,000 from just 95 lots in October 2025, the result of impeccable provenance and rarity.  

A reason behind this enhanced visibility is the growth in global wealth and diversification. Over the past two decades, collectors from South Asia, the Middle East and the wider diaspora have become increasingly active in acquiring works that reflect their cultural heritage, while Western collectors and institutions have also broadened their focus beyond traditional European and Asian categories, further expanding demand. Another important driver is institutional recognition. Museums, galleries and academic scholarship have placed significantly greater emphasis on Islamic and South Asian art history, helping to legitimise and elevate the category in the eyes of collectors. Scarcity, of course, also plays a crucial role. High-quality historical works - particularly manuscripts, miniature paintings, early textiles and key modernist South Asian paintings – rarely come to market, and when they do, competition is fierce.

^{‘Shah Jahan in the Time of Youth’ ascribed to Govardhan India (Sold for £54,600)}

As the summer sunshine beckons, Sworders has already established a strong track record of results in Islamic and Indian art, including a Mughal painting 'Shah Jahan in the Time of Youth', attributed to Govardhan, which sold for £54,600, and a collection of Company School ornithological paintings, which achieved nearly £150,000.

Our May sale also delivered solid results, with a 19th-century three-quarter aerial view of the Sacred Enclosure, Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, realising £4,940, alongside a fine Company School painting of a Bengal fox, which sold for £3,380. Also performing well was a pre-Khmer carved sandstone figure of Vishnu, which achieved £5,200.

With the introduction of a new dedicated Indian, Islamic, and Southeast Asian art section in our biannual Asian Art sales, we are excited to see how this journey unfolds within such a dynamic and vibrant market.

_{*All sold prices shown include fees.}

Indian, Islamic & South Asian Art

For a complimentary auction valuation of your Indian, Islamic & South Asian Art, contact our specialists.

beatricecampi@sworder.co.uk | gracejulier@sworder.co.uk