The Art Market: The highs of the tiger- Modernist Iraqi Art

posted on: Apr 27, 2015

Islamic art was on the agenda in London this week, with something for everyone — from Indian miniatures or Ottoman embroideries to contemporary Arab art. Bonhams broke new ground by holding the first dedicated sale of modernist Iraqi art on Monday. It racked up a healthy, if modest, £1.2m with most of the 36 lots on offer going well above estimate: for instance, £194,500 was given for “Cubist Cockerel” (1955) by Shakir Hassan Al Said (the estimate was £25,000-£35,000; final prices do not include fees but estimates do). A portrait of the Iraqi poet and academic Lamea Abbas Amara, by Al Said’s teacher, Jewad Selim, (1919-61) made £176,500 (estimate £70,000-£100,000).
“Until now, Egyptian and Iranian artists have figured more in our sales,” says the firm’s specialist Nima Sagharchi, “but we have always had a close relationship with Jewad Selim’s family, and I was able to source a lot of material in Jordan, where the Iraqi elite moved after the Iraqi war [of 2003].” While many buyers were in town for Islamic Art Week, telephone bidding was also brisk, particularly from the Gulf. Asked whether Bonhams would consider restarting Dubai sales — abandoned in 2011 — Sagharchi said: “If anything this [sale] proves that the location is not important, buyers will find us.” But he is thinking of further themed sales from other countries in the region.

Source: www.ft.com