Subodh Gupta’s 2004 work ‘Vehicle For The Seven Seas’ fetched � 502,330 ($785,243), setting a world record for the artist, more than three times its estimate under the hammer at Artcurial, Paris.

A packed saleroom saw fierce bidding between the room and a number of international telephones for this emblematic sculpture by Subodh Gupta which was sold to a French collector in the room.

‘Vehicle For The Seven Seas’, 2004, composed of a trolley cast in bronze with gold patina and three aluminium sculpture-suitcases, was estimated � 140,000-180,000.

The previous record for the artist was established in Hong Kong on November 25th, 2007 with an untitled painting ( 167 x 229,3 cm) going for $494,308.

This world auction record is also the best second world record for Indian contemporary art (artists born after 1950). N S Harsha with ‘Mass Mariage’ (168×290 cm) painted in 2003 achieved $ 833,483, the first highest price, in Hong Kong in 2007.

Artcurial, H�tel Dassault, 7 Rond Point des Champs Elys�es, Paris

Sp�cialistes art contemporain Artcurial : Martin Guesnet, directeur, Hugues Sebilleau, Arnaud Oliveux. Consultant Inde : Herv� Perdriolle

Website: WORLD RECORD, SUBODH GUPTA, ARTCURIAL, PARIS