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Indian & South Asian Furniture

Examples of exquisite furniture abound in India and South Asia, reflecting a rich legacy of woodworking that is valued throughout the region. From elaborately carved facades of temples to residential cabinets, tables, and screens, a high level of adornment and craftsmanship is evident in this region’s furniture. Indian furniture pieces are often embellished with traditional motifs using colorful opaque pigments to produce a stunning effect.

Wood varietals are of particular interest in Indian and South Asian furniture. Rosewood, native to the Himalayan foothills, has long been one of the most desirable timbers in Indian and South Asian furniture. Its innate beauty, durability, and availability in the region have made it highly prized and popular among woodworking artisans for centuries.

In addition to rosewood, the majority of new furniture in India is constructed from the timber of acacia and mango trees. The wood of Indian and South Asian furniture is typically so fine and stable in harsh environments that recovered antique woods are often reconstituted to fashion new pieces.


Quick Facts

  • The zenith of craftsmanship and aesthetic achievement in Indian furniture is often considered to be during the Vijayanagar Empire in Southern India (circa 1336 A.D.)
  • The Portuguese, who founded their own state within the borders of India, preferred European styles of furniture. They commissioned local artisans to recreate European furniture from imported models
  • Due to increasing economic development and a rising middle class, India’s furniture industry has grown exponentially in recent years

Recommended Items at Auction

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Early C19th Anglo Indian highly carved high back chair 58 w x 124 cm high, (Estate of Anthony & Ricky Street)
Feb 19, 10:00 AM AEDT
Early C19th Anglo Indian highly carved high back chair 58 w x 124 cm high, (Estate of Anthony & Ricky Street)
by Woodlands Auctions
Est: AUD200- AUD400
AUD1104 Bids
Four English and Anglo Indian table boxes, 18th/19th century
Feb 26, 10:00 AM PST
Four English and Anglo Indian table boxes, 18th/19th century
by Andrew Jones Auctions
Est: $400- $600
$2001 Bid
Schrank im holländischen Kolonialstil, Ceylon.
Feb 22, 11:00 AM CET
Schrank im holländischen Kolonialstil, Ceylon.
by Auktionshaus Karrenbauer
Est: €400- €800
€1801 Bid
PAINTED INDIA BUFFET
Feb 25, 6:00 PM PST
PAINTED INDIA BUFFET
by O'Gallerie
Est: $200- $300
$1001 Bid
Schrank im holländischen Kolonialstil, Ceylon.
Feb 22, 11:00 AM CET
Schrank im holländischen Kolonialstil, Ceylon.
by Auktionshaus Karrenbauer
Est: €400- €800
€1801 Bid
An Indian carved hardwood wall mirror,
Feb 25, 9:30 AM GMT
An Indian carved hardwood wall mirror,
by Sworders
Est: £150- £200
£1201 Bid
19TH C. ANGLO INDIAN INLAID SERVER.
Feb 26, 10:00 AM EST
19TH C. ANGLO INDIAN INLAID SERVER.
by William Smith Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$4001 Bid
A set of eight ram's head chairs in wood and white metal with blue upholstery, possibly India, late 19th C.
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A set of eight ram's head chairs in wood and white metal with blue upholstery, possibly India, late 19th C.
by Coronari Auctions
Est: €1,500- €2,500
€1,5000 Bids
INDIAN INLAID MARBLE TOP WITH FLOWERS.
Feb 27, 11:00 AM EST
INDIAN INLAID MARBLE TOP WITH FLOWERS.
by Kamelot Auctions
Est: $300- $500
$1500 Bids
A LARGE BRONZE AND IRON MOUNTED HARDWOOD DOWRY CHEST, PATARA, 19TH CENTURY
Mar 07, 11:00 AM CET
A LARGE BRONZE AND IRON MOUNTED HARDWOOD DOWRY CHEST, PATARA, 19TH CENTURY
by Galerie Zacke
Est: €1,500- €3,000
€8000 Bids
A BLUE AND RED-PAINTED DRESSER, POSSIBLY INDIAN
Mar 04, 10:30 AM GMT
A BLUE AND RED-PAINTED DRESSER, POSSIBLY INDIAN
by Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Est: £500- £800
£2400 Bids
AN ANGLO-INDIAN EBONISED HARDWOOD ARMCHAIR, 19TH CENTURY
Mar 04, 10:30 AM GMT
AN ANGLO-INDIAN EBONISED HARDWOOD ARMCHAIR, 19TH CENTURY
by Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales
Est: £500- £800
£2400 Bids
A Small Old Hardwood Indian Table
Feb 24, 6:00 PM AEDT
A Small Old Hardwood Indian Table
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD500 Bids
An Old Hardwood Indian Chest
Feb 24, 6:00 PM AEDT
An Old Hardwood Indian Chest
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD150- AUD250
AUD700 Bids
An Old Hardwood Indian Chest
Feb 24, 6:00 PM AEDT
An Old Hardwood Indian Chest
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD150- AUD250
AUD700 Bids
Two Indian Carved Low Chairs
Feb 24, 6:00 PM AEDT
Two Indian Carved Low Chairs
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD100- AUD200
AUD500 Bids
An Indian painted wooden and metal cabinet, 20th Century
Mar 04, 5:00 PM CET
An Indian painted wooden and metal cabinet, 20th Century
by Bayeu Subastas
Est: €80- €100
€800 Bids
A pair of attractive Indian carved wooden pillars with Ionic style capitals on stone bases, 19th C.
Mar 01, 10:00 AM CET
A pair of attractive Indian carved wooden pillars with Ionic style capitals on stone bases, 19th C.
by Coronari Auctions
Est: €800- €1,200
€8000 Bids
An Indian carved wooden cabinet, 20th Century
Mar 04, 5:00 PM CET
An Indian carved wooden cabinet, 20th Century
by Bayeu Subastas
Est: €100- €150
€1000 Bids
An Indian polychrome-decorated carved wooden corner chair, 20th Century
Mar 04, 5:00 PM CET
An Indian polychrome-decorated carved wooden corner chair, 20th Century
by Bayeu Subastas
Est: €80- €100
€800 Bids
Anglo-Indian Carved Hardwood Center Table
Mar 01, 10:00 AM EST
Anglo-Indian Carved Hardwood Center Table
by Devin Moisan Auctioneers, Inc.
Est: $500- $700
$2500 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Indian & South Asian Furniture


New England Auctions

New England Auctions

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales

Dreweatts 1759 Fine Sales

Auktionshaus Karrenbauer

Auktionshaus Karrenbauer