Dubai: A painting by a Lebanese artist was sold for almost Dh1.5 million at an auction in Dubai recently, auction house Christie’s confirmed on its website.
Les Années de l'oiseau (The Years of the Bird) was painted by Shafic Abboud (1926-2004).
The works of Lebanese artist Shafic Abboud were auctioned off by Christie’s recently, including the painting "The Years of the Bird."
According to Christie’s, the painting was estimated to sell for between $120,000 (Dh440,778) and $180,000 (Dh661,167), but after much bidding, it was sold for the staggering price of $391,500 (Dh1.438 million).
The works of 113 modern and contemporary artists from the region were auctioned off on October 18 at Emirates Towers, part of an exhibition to mark Christie's 250th anniversary.
Commenting on the 10th auction anniversary in the region, Michael Jeha, Managing Director and Deputy Chairman, Christie’s Dubai, said: “Over the past 10 years in the Middle East, Christie’s has supported many charities in the region and helped to raise more than $25 million for charitable causes.
“We are delighted to have supported the work of two further charities, as part of our autumn sale season: Arjan Ala Charitable Trust, receiving a donation of $120,000 and $235,000 raised to benefit the Noor Dubai Foundation,” he said.
While the collection included works from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey, Egypt and Lebanon, the spotlight was on Saqqakhaneh art pieces – an artistic movement that began in Iran during the 1960s.
De Chaque Cote, Les Etoiles Fusent (On Each Side the Stars Fuse), a painting by Iranian artist Hossein Zenderudi, was the second most expensive artwork, which sold for $307,500 (Dh1.129 million) at Christie’s Dubai sales of Modern and Contemporary Art.
