Female Form II by Benedict Enwonwu – £34,000 at Roseberys.
Two recent examples by the influential Nigerian artist demonstrated this when they appeared at Roseberys’ (25% buyer’s premium) Modern British & 20th Century Art in south London on October 11.
They came to auction having been given by the artist to a member of the vendor’s family and both had plaques to the base giving the title. Both were wooden carvings for which Enwonwu had created a smooth surface to emphasise the sinuous forms and exude a sense of motion.
First up was Woman and Afele, measured 22in (56cm) high. It surpassed a £10,000-15,000 estimate and was knocked down at £30,000.
Woman and Afele by Benedict Enwonwu – £30,000 at Roseberys.
The following lot, Female Form II, was a bit larger at 2ft 3in (69cm) high. Against the same pitch, it took £34,000.
Both lots sold to the same London-based specialist collector, with the sums fetched, while some way off the six-figure prices made by Enwonwu’s larger sculptures, looking strong for works of this size.
