ArtDayMe – A total of 99 artworks will go under the hammer at Bonhams’ Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art auction. Lebanon accounts for the largest national representation in the sale with 27 works, followed by Egypt (23 works), Iraq (13 works), Syria (10 works), Iran (8 works), Palestine (8 works), Algeria (3 works) and Saudi Arabia (2 works).

The highest estimate of the auction belongs to renowned Lebanese artist Huguette Caland (1931–2019). One of her works carries an estimate of £150,000–£300,000, while three additional pieces by the artist will also be offered during the sale.

Iraqi artist Mohammad Sami (b. 1984) ranks second among the highest-valued lots, with his work estimated at £100,000–£150,000.

Among the Iranian highlights is a significant abstract painting by Sohrab Sepehri, estimated at £50,000–£100,000, placing it among the auction’s most valuable Iranian lots.

The sale features an impressive roster of leading figures from the Arab art world, including Syrian painter Louay Kayyali, Lebanese artist Hussain Madi, Iraqi master Dia Al-Azzawi, Iraqi modernist Mahmoud Sabri, and Egyptian artists Omar El Nagdi, Seif Wanly, and Salah Taher, alongside many other distinguished names.

Interestingly, the auction opens with four consecutive works by celebrated Syrian artist Marwan Kassab Bachi. However, his highest-valued lot will appear later in the sale, with an estimate of £50,000–£70,000.

Another notable presence is Fahrelnissa Zeid (1901–1991), the Turkish-Jordanian painter widely regarded as one of the most important female artists of the Middle East. Following Parviz Tanavoli, she is often cited among the region’s most valuable artists. Years ago, one of her paintings achieved a record price of approximately $2.7 million at Christie’s Dubai. Bonhams London is offering two works by Zeid, both estimated at £20,000–£30,000.

Saudi Arabia is represented by two artists. A painting by Abdulah Alshaikh (1936–2019) carries an estimate of £30,000–£40,000, while a work by Safeya Binzagr (1940–2024) is estimated at £20,000–£30,000.

Iranian art is represented by eight works by six artists. London-based Iranian painter Reza Derakshani has two works in the sale: a painting from his celebrated Red Series, estimated at £25,000–£35,000, and a work from his Rose Series, estimated at £12,000–£18,000.

A work by renowned Iranian calligrapher and painter Seyed Mohammad Ehsai, whose works have surpassed the $1 million mark at Christie’s, will also be offered. His painting-calligraphy work is estimated at £15,000–£22,000.

The Bonhams London auction will begin at 2:00 PM on Thursday, June 4, at Bonhams’ headquarters on New Bond Street, London.