Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

British Art Lacks International Interest This Season

December 1, 2015 by Marion Maneker

Colin Gleadell boils down the British sales where the international buyers seem to have vanished:

It was tough at the top for the highest estimated lots in Christie’s Modern British Art sale last week when nine of the expected top 12 elicited little competition, selling at or below the lower end of their estimated prices. In a sale that was heavily populated with sculptures, it was notable that most competition came for exquisite, small carved works rather than bronzes. A 16-and-a-half inch, smoothly rounded sandalwood carving by Barbara Hepworth soared three and a half times over its estimate to sell for £1.4 million – a record for a wood carving by Hepworth – while a curvaceous two-foot Bath stone carving, Eve by Eric Gill, more than doubled estimates to sell for £818,500. There was little evidence, though, of the international bidding that characterised Christie’s previous sale where the larger Gill carving of Joan of Arc tied to the stake made an extraordinary £2.2 million. Amongst the paintings, a record £1.2 million was paid for David Bomberg’s rooftop view of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem which had been a jewel in private dealer Ivor Braka’s collection for 30 years.

Market News: Paris bounces back  (Telegraph)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Thorburn Partridges Lead Bonhams 19th CThorburn Partridges Lead Bonhams 19th C
  • The Museum Oil and Gas BuiltThe Museum Oil and Gas Built
  • Artelligence Podcast: Loretta Wurtenberger On the Strategy Behind the Hans Arp EstateArtelligence Podcast: Loretta Wurtenberger On the Strategy Behind the Hans Arp Estate
  • Christie’s Announces $70m Picasso Self PortraitChristie’s Announces $70m Picasso Self Portrait
  • Sotheby’s Stages New Hybrid $45M. Silent Auction with Select Masters Zhang Xiaogang, Nara and KusamaSotheby’s Stages New Hybrid $45M. Silent Auction with Select Masters Zhang Xiaogang, Nara and Kusama
  • Sexing Up Allen JonesSexing Up Allen Jones

Filed Under: General

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor