Coin issued by Muhammad Bin Tughluq, (Indian, reigned 1325-1351)

Object Details

• Provenance

  ?-1999

  Ralph (1914-2001) and Catherine Glynn Benkaim, method of acquisition unknown [1]

  From 1999

  Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, gift of Ralph (1914-2001) and Catherine Glynn Benkaim [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See email from Catherine Glynn Benkaim to Marjan Adib with the subject “Re: Happy New Year,” dated January 6, 1999, copy in object file.

  Ralph (1914-2001) and Catherine Glynn Benkaim were collectors of Indian painting. Mr. Benkaim was an entertainment lawyer from Los Angeles who started collecting Indian painting in 1961 and Ms. Benkaim scholar in the field of Indian painting. Mr. and Ms. Benkaim met in the 1970s when Ms. Benkaim was the curator of Indian painting at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The couple were married 1979 and together they created a fine collection of Indian paintings, which included examples from all genres. They collected objects for their collection through dealers and auctions. Objects from their collection may also be found in the Cleveland Museum of Art, Williams College Museum of Art, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, among others.

  [2] See Arthur M. Sackler, “Acquisition Consideration Form,” approved on March 10, 1999, copy in object file.

  See “Deed of Gift to the Arthur M. Sacker Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution,” dated March 15, 1999, copy in object file.

  Research updated June 21, 2023

• Collection

  National Museum of Asian Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Gold: The Asian Touch (September 10, 2005 to February 20, 2006)

  Imaging the Word: Selections of Calligraphy from the Islamic World (November 17, 1999 to May 7, 2000)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Ralph and Catherine Benkaim

• Origin

  India

• Credit Line

  The Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection

• Type

  Exchange Media

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

  There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

  The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1300s

• Name

  Benkaim, Ralph and Catherine

• Place

  India

• Topic

  South Asian and Himalayan Art, Gold, Art, Striking (metalworking), Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection, Tughlug dynasty (1320-1413)

• Culture

  Himalayan peoples, South Asians

• Object Type

  Exchange media