Sandhya Jain-Patel, AAA
Principal Art Advisor and Appraiser
With over 20 years of experience in art valuations and expertise in the care, collection, and appraisal of fine art, Sandhya brings unparalleled knowledge and professional excellence to every appraisal and advisory engagement.
Unique Qualifications
Sandhya Jain-Patel is an expert in the care and collection, and appraising, of fine art. Previously she was the Executive Director for Wrightwood 659, a private arts space in Chicago, which exhibited Trace by Ai Weiwei. Before then, Mrs. Jain-Patel was Vice President & 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 early 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.
Prior to joining Christie’s, Mrs. Jain-Patel spent a year in India on a Fulbright Scholarship, studying the materials and techniques of handmade paper and Indian court paintings, and their conservation in both the public and private sectors. She has worked previously as a fine arts conservator and research scientist at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and also at 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.
Appraisal Experience
During her tenure at Christie's, Mrs. Jain-Patel conducted valuations for insurance, donations, gift tax, estate tax, acquisitions, and deacquisitions. Her department set multi-million dollar records and handled prestigious collections including the Pal Family Collection, the Estate of Francis Newton Souza, and the collections of Shumita and Arani Bose, Mahinder and Sharad Tak, and the James and Marilynn Alsdorf Collection.
Notable Achievements
•Identifying a lost Indian court painting by Nainsukh of Guler (sold for $1.6 million in 2008)
•Bringing the Doris Wiener Collection to auction ($12.7 million in March 2012)
•Securing the Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth ($134 million in March 2015)
Professional Affiliations
Appraisers Association of America (AAA), Certified Member since 2021, and Member of the Education Committee
Art Market Mentors, Founding Mentor
American Society of Appraisers (ASA), Candidate Member
American Society of Appraisers (ASA), Candidate Member
Education and Research
Mrs. Jain-Patel's expertise spans fine arts conservation, research science, and South and Southeast Asian art history and culture. She completed a Fulbright Scholarship in India, where she conducted studio visits with contemporary artists, studied with the last handmade papermaker, and advised on the conservation of works on paper. She has also held 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.
Publications:
"Research and Treatment of a 15th century Nepalese Thangka"
"Innovations in the Materials and Techniques of Contemporary Indian Miniature Painting"
Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, MA in Art History and MA in Fine Arts Conservation
University of Medicine and Dentistry, New Jersey, MS in Microbiology and Molecular Genetics
Rutgers University, BS in Biology and BS in Art History
Professional Art Services
With decades of expertise and unparalleled credentials, I provide comprehensive art appraisal and advisory services you can trust.