Bonhams hosted their hugely successful Greek sale this week, with a selection of works ranging from 19th Century classic art to high-profile modern and contemporary pieces, achieving world record prices.
Across the entire sale, nearly 90% were sold by value.
 View of Acropolis - Konstantinos Maleas |
The much anticipated feature of the sale was Constantinos Maleas' (1879-1928) View of the Acropolis, exhibited at Paris in 1919, during a collective exhibition of modern Greek artists of the "Omada Texnis".
Exceeding its estimate, the stunning piece went on to sell for a staggering £311,200.
Another star lot within the auction was Nude A' by Yiannis Moralis, depicting a feminine nude as a glowing time-softened marble statue.
Expected to reach £120,000-180,000, its final hammer price was £276,000 for the spectacular piece imparting a sense of Doric dignity and Ionian elegance.
An expressionistic formulation of a labyrinthine architectural complex by Nikos Hadjikyriakos-Ghika (1906-1994) entitled Calligraphy of a town was another much sought-after work within the sale.
It reached £168,000 from an estimate of £80,000-120,000.
Further major lots included Spyros Papaloukas (1892-1957) vision of Mt. Athos, skete of the Three Hierarchs and the Holy Trinity which sold for £168,000.
Théodore Jacques Ralli's depiction of Resting in a Greek monastery also achieved £156,000.
Michalis Economou, Houses by the sea also exceeded estimate of £60,000-£80,000 achieving £102,000.
Michaela Vergottis, Bonhams London Specialist in Greek Art commented:
"Once again we had a packed saleroom with a real buzz and enthusiastic bidding. The Greek Art Market continues to shrug off any economic blues."
