Celebrating 20 years since Christie’s inaugural Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art auction, this season’s online sale in London highlights the richness of artistic production from the Gulf, alongside iconic works by modern masters and contemporary artists from the Levant, Iraq, Iran and North Africa.
Rare examples by leading modern masters include Untitled by Abdulhalim Radwi, from the artist’s estate and exhibited in Marbella in 2002, where it was admired by His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Other highlights include 64 Quadrattini by Mohamed Melehi, an early exploration of geometry and the square motif; a striking 1970s canvas by Saliba Douaihy from a pivotal transitional period in the artist’s oeuvre; and Parviz Tanavoli’s exceptional bronze Freedom and Poet (1970), exhibited at New York University’s Grey Art Gallery & Study Center in the mid‑1970s.
The sale also presents a rediscovered group of works from the Mantoura family collection, originally shown in the 1976 exhibition Tattershall Castle Yacht in London, paying tribute to Palestine’s rich cultural heritage.
Strong female representation is led by River Rapids (2021) by Samia Halaby, alongside important explorations of abstraction by Lebanese modernists including Etel Adnan, Huguette Caland, Helen Khal and Nadia Saikali. The auction further features pioneering Egyptian modernists, including The Mountain and the Desert (1966) by Gazbia Sirry, and a striking portrait by Inji Efflatoun.
The Gulf Now section traces contemporary artistic practice across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, with works by Mohammed Kazem, Ahmed Mater and Bouthayna Al Muftah.
Spanning generations and geographies, the auction reflects the depth, innovation and global resonance of Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art. Highlights from the sale will be on view at Christie’s London from 27 May to 11 June.
|
62 Lots for Sale 24986
|
||
|---|---|---|
|
Lot 1 SAMIA HALABY (B. 1936, JERUSALEM) River Rapids acrylic on canvas 41 x 41in. (104.1 x 104.1cm.) |
estimate £80,000 - £120,000 ($107,440 - $161,160) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 2 SALIBA DOUAIHY (1915, EHDEN - 1994, NEW YORK) Untitled (Wadi Qannoubine series) oil on canvas 35 x 23 1/8in. (88.9 x 58.6cm.) |
estimate £50,000 - £70,000 ($67,150 - $94,010) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 3 ETEL ADNAN (1925, BEIRUT - 2021, PARIS) Untitled oil on canvas 16 x 19 7/8in. (40.5 x 50.5cm.) |
estimate £80,000 - £120,000 ($107,440 - $161,160) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 4 MOHAMED MELEHI (1936, ASILAH – 2020, BOULOGNE-BILLANCOURT) 64 Quadrattini (64 Little Squares) oil on canvas 101.8 x 36 1/8in. (101.8 x 91.8cm.) |
estimate £70,000 - £100,000 ($94,010 - $134,300) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 5 ABDUL HALIM RADWI (1939, MECCA - 2006, JEDDAH) Untitled oil on canvas 39 x 28 1/8in. (99.1 x 71.5cm.) |
estimate £70,000 - £100,000 ($94,010 - $134,300) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 6 CHARLES-HOSSEIN ZENDEROUDI (B. 1937, TEHRAN) YEK + HASS acrylic on canvas 39 3/8 x 32in. (100 x 81.2cm.) |
estimate £35,000 - £55,000 ($47,005 - $73,865) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 7 SOHRAB SEPEHRI (1928, KASHAN - 1980, TEHRAN) Untitled oil on canvas 39 x 27 ½in. (99.1 x 70cm.) |
estimate £60,000 - £80,000 ($80,580 - $107,440) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 8 MASSOUD ARABSHAHI (1935, TEHRAN - 2019, TEHRAN) Untitled oil on canvas 47 ¼ x 43 ¼in. (120 x 110cm.) |
estimate £30,000 - £50,000 ($40,080 - $66,800) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 9 PARVIZ TANAVOLI (B. 1937, TEHRAN) Freedom and Poet bronze on stone base bronze: 12 ½ x 7 ½ x 3 ½in. (31.7 x 19 x 8.8cm.) base: 4 x 7 ½ x 3 ½in. (10.2 x 19 x 8.8cm.) |
estimate £70,000 - £100,000 ($94,010 - $134,300) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 10 DIA AL-AZZAWI (B. 1939, BAGHDAD) Untitled oil on canvas 39 3/8 x 31 5/8in. (100 x 80.2cm.) |
estimate £40,000 - £60,000 ($53,440 - $80,160) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 11 FAEQ HASSAN (1914, BAGHDAD - 1992, PARIS) Untitled oil on panel 21 3/8 x 27 ¾in. (54.4 x 70.4cm.) |
estimate £30,000 - £50,000 ($40,290 - $67,150) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 12 HAFIDH AL-DROUBI (1914, BAGHDAD - 1991, BAGHDAD) Abstract No. 10 oil on panel 50 ¾ x 38 7/8in. (129 x 98.6cm.) |
estimate £25,000 - £35,000 ($33,400 - $46,760) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 13 JEWAD SELIM (1919, BAGHDAD - 1961, BAGHDAD) Portrait of Lorna graphite on paper 10 5/8 x 8 3/8in. (27 x 21.3cm.) |
estimate £7,000 - £10,000 ($9,352 - $13,360) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 14 JEWAD SELIM (1919, BAGHDAD - 1961, BAGHDAD) Self-Portrait ballpoint pen on paper 5 ¾ x 8 5/8in. (14.6 x 22cm.) |
estimate £10,000 - £15,000 ($13,360 - $20,040) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 15 MARWAN (1934, DAMASCUS - 2016, BERLIN) Kopf (Head) gouache on paper 39 3/8 x 27 ¾in. (100 x 70.5cm.) |
estimate £20,000 - £30,000 ($26,860 - $40,290) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 16 NASSER CHAURA (1920, DAMASCUS - 1992, DAMASCUS) Untitled oil on canvas 30 3/8 x 23 3/8in. (77.2 x 59.5cm.) |
estimate £8,000 - £12,000 ($10,688 - $16,032) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 17 AHMED MATER (B. 1979, TABUK) Illumination XIX & XX gold leaf, tea, pomegranate, ink and offset X-ray film print on archival Arche paper, in two parts each: 60 x 40 3/8in. (152.5 x 102.5cm.)(2) |
estimate £40,000 - £60,000 ($53,720 - $80,580) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 18 HAYV KAHRAMAN (B. 1981, BAGHDAD) Barricade 1 oil and metallic paint on linen 50 x 78 1/8in. (127.1 x 198.3cm.) |
estimate £30,000 - £50,000 ($40,290 - $67,150) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 19 MAHMOUD SAÏD (1897, ALEXANDRIA - 1964, ALEXANDRIA) Laveuses (Washers) oil on panel 7 1/8 x 9 ½in. (18 x 24.2cm.) |
estimate £15,000 - £20,000 ($20,040 - $26,720) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 20 MAHMOUD MOKHTAR (1891, TANBARA - 1934, CAIRO) Ala Shat El Nil (Au Bord du Nil/On the Banks of the Nile) bronze 33 ½ x 7 7/8 x 6 7/8in. (85.2 x 20 x 17.5cm.) |
estimate £30,000 - £40,000 ($40,080 - $53,440) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 21 OMAR EL NAGDI (1931, CAIRO - 2019, CAIRO) Musicista (Musician) mixed media on panel 51 1/8 x 35 3/8in. (130 x 90cm.) |
estimate £40,000 - £60,000 ($53,720 - $80,580) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 22 GAZBIA SIRRY (1925, CAIRO - 2021, CAIRO) The Mountain and the Desert oil on canvas 21 2/3 x 39 3/8in. (55 x 99cm.) |
estimate £50,000 - £70,000 ($67,150 - $94,010) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 23 ADAM HENEIN (1929, CAIRO - 2020, CAIRO) Hibou (Owl) bronze 8 7/8 x 7 ¾ x 6 7/8in. (22.5 x 19.5 x 17.5cm.) |
estimate £10,000 - £15,000 ($13,430 - $20,145) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 24 OMAR EL NAGDI (1931, CAIRO - 2019, CAIRO) El Kaaba Elsharifa oil on canvas 29 ½ x 29 1/8in. (75 x 74cm.) |
estimate £40,000 - £60,000 ($53,720 - $80,580) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 25 SALEH REDA (1932, CAIRO - 2018, CAIRO) Islamic Themes oil on paper 31 ½ x 21 7/8in. (80 x 55.7cm.) |
estimate £2,000 - £3,000 ($2,672 - $4,008) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 26 HEDI TURKI (1922, TUNIS - 2019, SIDI BOU SAÏD) Paysage (Landscape) oil on panel 32 x 24in. (81.4 x 61cm.) |
estimate £8,000 - £12,000 ($10,688 - $16,032) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 27 BAYA (1931, BORDJ EL KIFFAN - 1998, BLIDA) Untitled gouache on paper 39 1/8 x 39 1/8in. (99.3 x 99.5cm.) |
estimate £25,000 - £35,000 ($33,575 - $47,005) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 28 JULIANA SERAPHIM (1934, JAFFA - 2005, BEIRUT) Untitled oil on canvas 35 3/8 x 27 ½in. (90 x 70cm.) |
estimate £20,000 - £30,000 ($26,860 - $40,290) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 29 INJI EFFLATOUN (1924, CAIRO - 1989, CAIRO) Untitled oil on canvas board 22 ½ x 16 ½in. (57 x 42cm.) |
estimate £20,000 - £30,000 ($26,860 - $40,290) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 30 AMMAR FARHAT (1911, BÉJA - 1987, TUNIS) Jeunes Femmes (Young Women) oil on canvas 28 ½ x 21in. (72.5 x 53.2cm.) |
estimate £30,000 - £50,000 ($40,080 - $66,800) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 31 LAILA SHAWA (1940, GAZA - 2022, LONDON) Jerusalem oil and silver paint on canvas mounted on panel, in artist's frame 22 ½ x 26 3/8in. (57 x 67cm.) |
estimate £25,000 - £35,000 ($33,400 - $46,760) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 32 SLIMAN MANSOUR (B. 1947, BIRZEIT) Untitled oil on panel 18 ½ x 19 ¾in. (47 x 50cm.) |
estimate £10,000 - £15,000 ($13,430 - $20,145) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 33 SLIMAN MANSOUR (B. 1947, BIRZEIT) Crucified oil on canvas 32 x 28 7/8in. (81.2 x 73.2cm.) |
estimate £20,000 - £30,000 ($26,860 - $40,290) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 34 NABIL ANANI (B. 1943, LATROUN) Mother “Tell me about Palestine” oil and metallic paint on canvas 28 7/8 x 27 3/8in. (59.4 x 69.4cm.) |
estimate £15,000 - £20,000 ($20,145 - $26,860) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 35 VERA TAMARI (B. 1945, JERUSALEM) Togetherness glazed terracotta 12 ¾ x 6 7/8 x 5 ½in. (32.5 x 17.6 x 14cm.) |
estimate £3,000 - £5,000 ($4,029 - $6,715) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 36 SAMIA TAKTAK ZARU (1938, NABLUS - 2026, AMMAN) Untitled acrylic paint, embroidery and beads on fabric 23 ¾ x 72in. (60.2 x 182.8cm.) |
estimate £7,000 - £10,000 ($9,401 - $13,430) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 37 ABDULRAHMAN KATANANI (B. 1983, BEIRUT) Kids Waiting in Line spray paint on corrugated metal 55 7/8 x 98 3/8in. (142 x 250cm.) |
estimate £30,000 - £40,000 ($40,290 - $53,720) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 38 PAUL GUIRAGOSSIAN (1926, JERUSALEM - 1993, BEIRUT) Confidence oil on canvas 39 3/8 x 27 ½in. (100 x 70cm.) |
estimate £30,000 - £50,000 ($40,080 - $66,800) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 39 SHAFIC ABBOUD (1926, BIKFAYA - 2004, PARIS) Arbres (Trees) oil on paper laid on canvas 36 3/8 x 28 ¾in. (92.3 x 73.1cm.) |
estimate £25,000 - £35,000 ($33,400 - $46,760) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 40 NADIA SAIKALI (B. 1936, BEIRUT) Sables (Sands) oil on canvas 28 ¾ x 45 ¾in. (73.1 x 116.2cm.) |
estimate £12,000 - £18,000 ($16,116 - $24,174) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 41 HELEN KHAL (1923, ALLENTOWN - 2009, AJALTOUN) Untitled oil on masonite 10 ½ x 16 ¾in. (26.6 x 42.5cm.) |
estimate £12,000 - £18,000 ($16,116 - $24,174) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 42 FAHRELNISSA ZEID (1901, BÜYÜKADA - 1991, AMMAN) Abstract oil on canvas 23 5/8 x 19 ¾in. (60 x 50cm.) |
estimate £40,000 - £60,000 ($53,720 - $80,580) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 43 FAHRELNISSA ZEID (1901, BÜYÜKADA - 1991, AMMAN) Untitled oil on canvas 22 x 29 7/8in. (56 x 76cm.) |
estimate £40,000 - £60,000 ($53,720 - $80,580) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 44 HUGUETTE CALAND (1931, BEIRUT – 2019, BEIRUT) Untitled (from Faces and Places II series) acrylic and metallic paint on panel 5 x 5in. (12.7 x 12.6cm.) |
estimate £3,000 - £5,000 ($4,008 - $6,680) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 45 SALOUA RAOUDA CHOUCAIR (1916, BEIRUT - 2017, BEIRUT) Ring and Brooch silver Ring: Eu ring size 54 / US ring size 6 ¾ Brooch: 5 ¾ x 3/4in. (14.5 x 1.8cm.) gross weight: 28.10 grams(2) |
estimate £3,000 - £5,000 ($4,008 - $6,680) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 46 ALI CHERRI (B. 1976, BEIRUT) Heroes: The Rise and Fall chrome-plated brass and granite 21 ¾ x 9 1/8 x 4 7/8in. (55.3 x 23.3 x 12.5cm.) |
estimate £8,000 - £12,000 ($10,688 - $16,032) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 47 AYMAN BAALBAKI (B. 1975, ODAISSEH) Concrete Beirut Barrier acrylic on fabric laid on canvas, in artist’s frame 40 7/8 x 56 7/8in. (103.8 x 144.5cm.) |
estimate £25,000 - £35,000 ($33,400 - $46,760) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 48 JAMIL MOLAEB (B. 1948, BAISSOUR) Jerusalem oil on canvas 35 ¼ x 47 1/8in. (89.6 x 119.6cm.) |
estimate £6,000 - £8,000 ($8,016 - $10,688) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 49 WILLY ARACTINGI (1930, NEW YORK - 2003, BARCELONA) Untitled oil on canvas 45 x 57 ½in. (114.3 x 146cm.) |
estimate £10,000 - £15,000 ($13,360 - $20,040) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 50 SHAIKHA AL MAZROU (B. 1988, DUBAI) Ironic Experiments I black stoneware on white painted metal base stoneware: 23 5/8 x 15 x 24 5/8in. (60 x 38 x 62.5cm.) base: 34 5/8 x 15 ¾ x 15 ¾in. (88 x 40 x 40cm.) |
estimate £6,000 - £8,000 ($8,016 - $10,688) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 51 EBTISAM ABDULAZIZ (B. 1975, SHARJAH) Untitled (2), 2024 acrylic on canvas 43 ¼ x 54 5/8in. (109.7 x 138.6cm.) |
estimate £8,000 - £12,000 ($10,688 - $16,032) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 52 MOHAMMED KAZEM (B. 1969, DUBAI) Acrylic on Scratched Paper (Gold) acrylic on scratched paper 38 3/8 x 27in. (97.5 x 68.7cm.) |
estimate £20,000 - £30,000 ($26,720 - $40,080) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 53 MUBARAK NASSER AL-THANI (B. 1989, DOHA) City on the Hill acrylic on canvas 36 x 35 7/8in. (91.3 x 91cm.) |
estimate £3,500 - £4,500 ($4,676 - $6,012) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 54 MARYAM AL HOMAID (B. 1988, DOHA) Qutaifan Island hand-woven textile 87 ¾ x 61in. (223 x 155cm.) |
estimate £4,000 - £6,000 ($5,344 - $8,016) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 55 BOUTHAYNA AL MUFTAH (B. 1987, DOHA) Fataraat (Phases) acrylic, graphite, styrofoam and paper on canvas 47 ¼ x 47 ¼in. (120 x 120cm.) |
estimate £8,000 - £12,000 ($10,688 - $16,032) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 56 MANAL AL DOWAYAN (B. 1973, DHAHRAN) Emerging 6 acrylic on natural linen 59 x 59in. (150 x 150cm.) |
estimate £15,000 - £20,000 ($20,040 - $26,720) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 57 MANAL AL DOWAYAN (B. 1973, DHAHRAN) The Emerging (2 legs) jesmonite i) 13 ¾ x 9 ¼ x 6 ½in. (35 x 23.6 x 16.4cm.) ii) 9 1/8 x 13 7/8 x 6 ¾in. (23.2 x 35.1 x 17.1cm.)(2) |
estimate £8,000 - £12,000 ($10,744 - $16,116) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 58 ABDULNASSER GHAREM (B. 1973, KHAMIS MUSHAIT) Al Siraat (The Path) silk screen print on somerset tub paper 50 5/8 x 70 7/8in. (128.5 x 180cm.) |
estimate £2,000 - £3,000 ($2,672 - $4,008) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 59 AHMED MATER (B. 1979, TABUK) Magnetism I – IV hand-printed photogravure, in four parts each sheet: 24 3/8 x 31 7/8in. (62 x 81cm.)(4) |
estimate £8,000 - £12,000 ($10,744 - $16,116) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 60 DANA AWARTANI (B. 1987, JEDDAH) Thaminya (Eight) gouache, gold paint and ink on paper 7 1/8 x 7 1/8in. (18 x 18cm.) |
estimate £1,500 - £2,500 ($2,014 - $3,357) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 61 SARA ABDU (B. 1993, JEDDAH) (i) Scream Your Sadness (ii) How come the Baby grows up to Be an old... dry ink on paper (i) 16 x 12 3/8in. (40.6 x 31.5cm.) (ii) 11 ¾ x 8 ¼in. (29.7 x 21cm.)(2) |
estimate £1,000 - £2,000 ($1,336 - $2,672) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |
|
Lot 62 BOUSHRA ALMUTAWAKEL (B. 1969, SANA'A) Mother, Daughter, Doll each: chromogenic print in artist's frame, in nine parts each: 24 ¼ x 16 ¼in. (61.7 x 41.8cm.)(9) |
estimate £5,000 - £7,000 ($6,680 - $9,352) PRICE REALIZED ________________________ ________________________ |