MODERN & CONTEMPORARY AFRICAN ART AT BONHAMS IN PARIS
El Anatsui (born 1944), Untitled 1990, carved, incised, scorched, and painted wood panels (estimate : €25,000-35,000)
Paris – Untitled by El Anatsui (born 1944) made of carved, incised, scorched, and painted wood panels will lead the Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr’s Modern & Contemporary African Art online sale in Paris, running from 24 September to 8 October 2025. It is estimated at €25,000-35,000. “… When I create work… it is in my view a metaphor reflecting an alternative response to examine … possibilities and extend the boundaries in art. … My work can represent links in the evolving narrative of memory and identity.” said the artist. This highly selective sale will offer paintings, drawings and sculptures by celebrated African artists, including Aboudia, El Anatsui, Bertina Lopes and Cheri Samba. A selection of artists from South Africa will be offered such as Esther Malangu; Gerard Sekoto and Frederick Hutchinson with attractive estimates.
Julie Mathon, Junior specialist in Modern and Contemporary African Art at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr, commented: " El Anatsui is a renowned Ghanaian sculptor based in Nigeria, known for his innovative use of discarded materials like bottle caps and printing plates. Working from studios in Nsukka, Nigeria, and Tema, Ghana, he creates powerful, globally celebrated artworks that explore themes of reuse, transformation, colonial history, and environmental impact. We also offer at auction a selection of works of art by renowned South African artists.”
Left: Gerard Sekoto (1913-1993), Untitled, 1966 watercolour on paper (estimate: €6,000-9,000); Right: Abdoulaye Diarrassouba "Aboudia", (born 1983), I have a dream I (estimate: €12,000-18,000)
The sale, which consists of 30 lots, also offers:
Gerard Sekoto (1913-1993), Untitled, 1966 signed and dated " GS 66" lower right; inscribed on the reverse, watercolour on paper (estimate: €6,000-9,000).
A 1980 colourful painting by Bertina Lopes (1924-2012), Untitled, oil on canvas (estimate: €5,000 - €8,000).
I have a dream I, a large and impressive painting by Aboudia (born 1983) (estimate: €12,000-18,000).
Auction: Modern & Contemporary African
Venue: 6, avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris
Date: 24 September – 8 October 2025
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Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars.
Founded in 1793, Bonhams has representatives in more than 30 countries and operates flagship salerooms in London, New York, Paris, Los Angeles, and Hong Kong. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams’ global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.
In 2023, Bonhams achieved 14% growth with $1.14 billion in turnover. Recent important auctions and landmark single-owner collections, include the white glove sales of Sir Michael Caine: The Personal Collection, Alain Delon: Sixty Years of Passion; Sir Roger Moore: The Personal Collection; Personal Property of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Robert & Jean-Pierre Rousset Collection of Asian Art: A Century of Collecting. Other notable single-owner sales included The Estate of Barbara Walters: American Icon; The Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; The Crown Auction: Props and Costumes and The Claude de Marteau Collection.
Top lots for 2023 include 1967 Ferrari 412P Berlinetta, Sold at Quail Lodge, US for US$30,255,000. Tipu Sultan’s Bedchamber Sword (sold in London for £14m – a world record for both an Islamic and an Indian object); Paul Signac (1863-1935), Sisteron, 1902. Sold for US$8,580,000 (estimate US$4-6 million), and Claude Monet (1840-1926), La Seine près de Giverny, 1888. Sold for US$6,352,500 (estimate US$4-6m), both from the Alan and Simone Hartman Collection; A Gilt Copper Alloy figure of Virupaksha, Central Tibet, Densatil Monastery, Early 15th century. Sold for HK$37.9m (£4,060,326) in Hong Kong. Yoshitomo Nara (born 1959) Three Stars. Sold for HK$36,754,000 (£3,930,914), also in Hong Kong.
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