Two exceptional works by two masters of 20th century sculpture lead Bonhams’ Modern British Art sale on 22 November.
Head (1930) by Henry Moore is one of a number of small sculptures made from ironstone by Moore in the early 1930s. Depicting a female head, the work – which measures 7 inches, including the marble base – was created following a holiday trip to the coast of Norfolk in 1930 that Moore took with fellow sculptors Barbara Hepworth and John Skeaping. That year, inspired by the ironstone pebbles which lined the shores, Moore produced roughly six sculptures, including two heads in profile.
Head, which has been exhibited at both UK and international galleries and featured in a major show on Henry Moore at London’s Tate Britain in 2010, has an estimate of £2,200,000 – 2,600,000.
Cloaked Figure IX , at over 6 feet tall, is one of Lynn Chadwick’s largest single figures. The artist, who is recognised as a key figure in post-war British art, is celebrated for his abstract bronze figures which are held in museum collections worldwide. This monumental piece, demonstrating Chadwick’s unique approach to sculpture as one of construction rather than modelling, was conceived and cast in 1978 and is cast number 1 from the edition of six. It has an estimate of £350,000-550,000.
Other highlights of the auction include:
Dancers (1911-1912) by Duncan Grant, which has remained in the same private family collection since 1912 when it was acquired from the famous Second Post-Impressionist Exhibition organised by Roger Fry. Estimate £120,000-180,000
Still Air (1961) by Peter Lanyon, one of the artist’s gliding paintings which are recognised as the pinnacle of his achievements as a painter. Estimate £120,000-180,000
Leonardo’s Dog II (conceived in 1992) by Dame Elisabeth Frink R.A.. Created in the penultimate year of her life, Leonardo’s Dog II is a fitting tribute to Frink’s love for all types of animals over a four-decade long career. Estimate £100,000-150,000
Intersection (1946) by Dame Barbara Hepworth, acquired from the artist by close friends Serge and Barbara Chermayeff. Serge was a celebrated architect and co-designer with Eric Mendelhson of major modernist projects, including De La Warr pavilion. Estimate: £60,000-80,000
Bonhams’ Modern British Art auction takes place in the London saleroom on New Bond Street on 22 November. For further information: bonhams.com
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Image: Henry Moore O.M., C.H. (British, 1898-1986), Head, ironstone on a marble base, 17.7 cm. (7 in.) high (including the marble base). Carved in 1930. Unique. Estimate: £2,200,000-2,600,000. Image courtesy of Bonhams.