LONDON.- Christie’s Modern British and Irish Art Evening Sale realised a total of £14,370,000 / $18,652,260 / €17,114,670, a 25% increase year on year, with sell through rates of 81% by lot and 85% by value. 81% of works were sold within or above high estimate.

The sale was led by Henry Moore’s Rocking Chair No. 3, presented at auction for the first time, which achieved £2,883,500, followed by Sir Stanley Spencer’s Wisteria at Englefield, which sold for £1,371,000.

The strength of the demand for sculpture was evidenced throughout the sale - in addition to Henry Moore’s Rocking Chair No. 3, Barry Flanagan’s Thinker realised £1,310,500 (estimate: £400,000-600,000), while Lynn Chadwick’s Walking Woman sold for £1,371,000 against an estimate of £500,000-800,000.

Gwen John’s Girl in a Blue Dress, previously in the same collection since circa 1940, attracted spirited bidding at the start of the sale, selling for £403,200 (estimate: £120,000-180,000) and setting a world auction record for the artist.

Sales continue with The Modern British and Irish Art Day Sale on 17 October at 2pm at Christie’s London.