Bonhams African Art Sale Sets Seven World Records, Led by £602,100 Enwonwu Sculpture

On Wednesday, 21 October, Bonhams New Bond Street in London hosted the Modern and Contemporary African Art auction, which established seven new world records. The highlight of the event was Anyanwu, a rare gilt-bronze sculpture crafted by Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu M.B.E (Nigerian, 1917-1994), which fetched £602,100, marking a record price for this artist's work. Standing at 2.2 meters tall and adorned in gold, this piece was auctioned for the first time. Only two other versions are known: one at the National Museum in Lagos and another sold by Bonhams in 2017. Giles Peppiatt, Bonhams Group Head of Fine Art, UK, expressed satisfaction with the sale's outcome, highlighting its cultural significance. Impressive results were also noted for Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (Nigerian, ...), though specifics were not disclosed.