India’s Pioneer Multi-Category Auction House
Established in 2007 by Maher Dadha (industrialist, art collector and publisher of the book 'Views of India – Art of the British Raj') and his sons Ankush Dadha & Apoorva Dadha along with Charu Sharma (auctioneer & commentator), HRH Gaj Singh II (Maharaja of Jodhpur and convener of Marwar INTACH), Rukmini Varma (great-grand niece of Raja Ravi Varma), Bob Hayton (international auctioneer & decorative arts specialist), Dr. Sharada Srinivasan (acclaimed scientist NIAS (IISc), archaeometallurgist and Padmashri awardee) and Savita Apte (Modern & Contemporary Indian Art expert) amongst others, Bid & Hammer's team of directors, advisors & specialists have a wealth of international experience allied to a deep understanding of the complex dynamics of the Indian market.
At a time when the burgeoning Indian art auction market was synonymous with Modern & Contemporary artworks, Bid & Hammer started with the objective of developing the trade beyond this through generalist and thematic auctions covering not just this segment but also Company School Paintings & Drawings, Miniatures, Jewellery, English & Indian Silver, Antique Swords & Daggers, Period Furniture, Antiquarian Books, Maps, Prints & Photographs (ABMPP), Carpets, Rugs, Tapestries, Cricket Memorabilia and a host of other Decorative Works of Art & Collectibles – a first for any homegrown auction house!
In sync with the vision of the founding family, Bid & Hammer has established itself as India’s pioneering multi-category auctioneers & valuers offering well-researched, genuine and important works by prominent Indian artists such as Raja Ravi Varma, Antonio Xavier Trindade, F N Souza and M F Husain, besides iconic English artists J M W Turner, William Hodges and French illustrator Etienne Drian amongst others. The decorative sections have had works by Rene Lalique, Mappin & Webb, Dan Dailey (Daum) and T Manickam Chetty & Sons to name a few.
A traditional brick-and-mortar auction house operating out of Bengaluru & New Delhi with previews and auctions also held in Chennai and Jodhpur, since our first ‘Floor Auction’ in 2008 we have conducted various ‘Estate Auctions’, ‘Live Online Only’ and ‘Silent Bids’ auctions. In July 2013 we started ‘Timed Online Auctions’ as well as ‘Spot Sales’ to complement the thrill of our live physical auctions and from 2020 onwards newer formats such as 'No-Reserve Auctions', 'Auction of the Day', 'Auction of the Week' and 'Low-Reserve Auctions' to cater to a diverse collector base.