BY ALBERT CHEN

Bonhams’ New Bond Street auction witnessed an extraordinary sale that combined art, history, and diplomacy, achieving remarkable results and setting a new world record for Indian artist Krishna Kanwal on June 5, 2025 in London. The sale featured the collection and archive of Sir Basil Gould, a British diplomat deeply involved in Tibet’s political and cultural history.

The centerpiece of the auction was a series of 40 original watercolours by Krishna Kanwal, depicting the 1940 enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama in Lhasa.

These works, which had never been offered at auction before, sold for a total of £457,600 ($613,184), marking a significant milestone in the recognition of Kanwal’s artistic legacy.

A Historic Collection of Kanwal’s Watercolors

The highlight of the sale was Kanwal’s The Dalai Lama on the throne on 22 February 1940, which commanded a price of £152,800 ($204,752).

This evocative painting captures a momentous event— the enthronement of the young Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, who was only four years old at the time.

The series of watercolors vividly portrays the ceremonies, dignitaries, and the atmosphere of the occasion, serving as a visual record of a pivotal moment in Tibetan history.

The works are celebrated not only for their artistic quality but also for their historical significance, as they document an event that shaped the spiritual and political landscape of Tibet. Their unprecedented appearance at auction has garnered attention from collectors and historians alike.

The 1940 Enshrinement of the 14th Dalai Lama: A Deeply Spiritual and Political Event

The sale’s historical context revolves around the enthronement of Tibet’s 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, which took place on 22 February 1940. Following the death of the 13th Dalai Lama in 1933, Tibetan monks undertook a complex spiritual process to identify his reincarnation.

This process involved signs and visions, guiding monks to a remote village in Amdo where a young boy named Lhamo Thondup was recognized through a series of ritual tests, including the selection of personal items belonging to his predecessor.

The recognition was believed to be divinely guided, and the boy was brought to Lhasa to prepare for his enthronement. Sir Basil Gould, a key British diplomat and Political Officer for Sikkim, Bhutan, and Tibet, played a crucial role in this historic event. He was present at the ceremony, which took place within the Norbulingka Palace, and documented the moment when the young Dalai Lama, dressed in golden robes and a ceremonial yellow hat, was lifted onto the throne amidst Tibetan horns and chanting monks.

Gould later described the young boy as possessing an extraordinary presence, with a wisdom and serenity that left a lasting impression on all who observed him.

Gould’s Personal Archive Offers an Unparalleled Visual Record of Tibet in the 1930s

Another significant component of the auction was Sir Basil Gould’s personal archive, which included seven extensive photograph albums containing over 1,500 images.

These photographs, taken during his British Mission to Lhasa in 1936–1937, provide an invaluable visual insight into Tibetan life and culture during that period. The albums capture the landscapes, ceremonies, and daily moments of Tibetans and foreigners alike, offering a rare glimpse into a bygone era.

Alongside the albums, Gould’s collection included 16mm Kodachrome cine film, some of which was screened for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at Balmoral in 1937. These films, which sold for £19,200 ($25,728), add a dynamic dimension to the historical record, capturing moving images of Tibet’s landscapes and people.

Additional Cultural and Diplomatic Artifacts Highlight Gould’s Legacy

The auction also featured several personal artifacts belonging to Gould, including his diplomatic uniform by Ranken & Co., Calcutta, which sold for £640 ($857.60). His medals and decorations fetched £3,584 ($4,802.56), emphasizing his diplomatic stature.

The collection also included rare Tibetan manuscripts and books, notably Gould’s 1941 report on the recognition and enthronement of the 14th Dalai Lama, written in both English and Tibetan, which sold for £14,080 ($18,867.20).

The sale extended to Buddhist art pieces, among them a set of three 18th/19th-century parcel-gilt Buddha figures (sold for £10,880), a 19th-century Tsangpa Karpo thangka (sold for £6,400), and an early Ming Dynasty cloisonné enamel incense burner (sold for £10,880). These artifacts highlight the rich cultural and religious heritage associated with Gould’s collection.

Impressive Results Reflect Cultural and Historical Significance

Overall, the 49-lot sale achieved a total of £952,000 ($1,276,680), with an impressive 96% of lots sold by lot and 99.9% sold by value. Giles Peppiatt, Bonhams Group Head of Pictures, expressed his admiration for the sale, calling it one of the most extraordinary and profoundly important historical sales he has been involved with.

He highlighted the significance of Kanwal’s oil painting of the Dalai Lama’s enthronement, which documented a major spiritual event, and emphasized the importance of the watercolours depicting ceremonies and dignitaries.

The sale not only set a new world record for Krishna Kanwal but also offered a vivid window into Tibet’s history and the diplomatic efforts of Sir Basil Gould.

The results demonstrate the enduring value and fascination of this unique collection, blending art, history, and spirituality in a landmark auction.

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