Provenance Matters: The Indian, Himalayan and Southeast Asian Art Market
October 29, 2025
About this Event
Join the Center for Art Law along with speaker Sandhya Jain-Patel in examining the fundamental transformation of the Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian art market from a “gentleman’s agreement” system to today’s documentation-driven environment. This session covered the evolution of provenance requirements from pre-2000 practices through watershed moments including the Cambodia repatriations and high-profile trafficking cases.
Particular attention was given to the nuanced legal framework—including the 1970 UNESCO Convention’s delayed U.S. implementation in 1983 and evolving bilateral agreements—and how these create valuation challenges for “orphan objects” caught between legal ownership and market restrictions.
Jain-Patel emphasized that despite increased scrutiny, this remains a healthy market with mostly good faith actors. She helped attendees understand the distinction between legal requirements and market practices. The presentation concluded with an optimistic view of how these magnificent works can continue to serve as cultural ambassadors while maintaining the highest ethical standards. Attendees came away with the understanding of why nuanced knowledge of the regulatory timeline is crucial for accurate valuations, and how to navigate options for objects with varying levels of documentation.
About the Speaker
Sandhya Jain-Patel is an expert in appraising, collecting, and conserving fine art. Previously she was the Head of the Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art Department at Christie’s New York, where under her guidance, her team were responsible for appraising, marketing and selling fine art from the Gandharan period up to the 20th century. During her tenure at Christie’s, the department set multi-million dollar records across the category, and handled some of the most important collections, including the Pal Family Collection, and the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection. Mrs. Jain-Patel was instrumental in identifying a lost Indian court painting by Nainsukh of Guler which sold for $1.6 million in 2008, in bringing the Doris Wiener Collection to auction in March 2012 which achieved $12.7 million, and in winning the Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth, which made $134 million in March 2015. She also handled the sale of the Pala Black Stone Figure of Lokanatha Avalokiteshvara, which achieved nearly $25 million in March 2017.
Prior to joining Christie’s, Mrs. Jain-Patel spent a year in India on a Fulbright Scholarship, where she conducted studio visits with contemporary artists, studied with the last handmade papermaker, and advised on the conservation of works on paper. Her professional experience includes research and conservation positions at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Judith Eisenberg Textile Conservation Studios. Her publications include “Research and Treatment of a 15th century Nepalese Thangka” and “Innovations in the Materials and Techniques of Contemporary Indian Miniature Painting.”
Mrs. Jain-Patel holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Art History from Rutgers University, a Master’s degree in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics from the University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey, and two Master’s degrees in Art History and in Fine Arts Conservation from the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. She speaks Hindi fluently and is proficient in Italian. She is a Certified Member of the Appraiser’s Association of America, and a candidate member of the American Society of Appraisers. Mrs. Jain-Patel serves on the Education Committee of AAA and as a mentor with Art Market Mentors. She is compliant with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) through 27 September 2026.
