LONDON.- One of the finest collections of South African sculpture ever offered at auction goes under the hammer at Bonhams South African Sale in London on 18 March. The 16 pieces are worth a combined total of £260,000-380,000 (ZARA4.8–7 million and many are fresh to the market.

Among the highlights is The Prisoner by Dumile Feni (1942-1991). This commanding male nude in bronze was conceived in New York in the 1980s during Feni’s 23 year self-imposed exile in protest against disregard for black artists in South Africa. It is estimated at £70,000-90,000. Known as ‘The Goya of the Streets’ Feni speaks of the repressive social, economic and political conditions of his time.

Sydney Kumalo, who represented South Africa at the Venice and Sao Paulo Biennales,’ has three works in the sale. Imbongi (£30-50,000), Joy (£10,000-15,000) and Patriarch (£20,000-30,000) are warrior-like images that use ancient associations to powerful contemporary effect.

Stella Shawzin’s Recumbent nude (l£12,000-18,000), carved in white Carrera marble draws inspiration from South Africa's complex multi-racial society. Using the simplified and bare human figure stripped of skin colour, cultural associations, tribal traditions and political affiliations, Shawzin explores her primary concern for the human form and the universal human condition

Dylan Lewis is one of South Africa’s foremost living sculptors, internationally celebrated for his powerful depictions of the animal form. Walking Leopard III Maquette (£20,000-30,000) and Leopard Scratching Tree (Maquette II (£8,000-12,000) serve as metaphors for the landscape and wilderness, while also being anatomically precise.

Also represented in the sale are:

Anton van Wouw, the father of South African sculpture, whose bronze Women's Memorial bas-relief panel (l£2,000-3,000) is a preliminary study for the Women's Memorial in Bloemfontein.

The Italian-born ex-prisoner of war, Edoardo Villa whose two large steel sculptures are estimated at £4,000-6,000 and £10,000-15,000 respectively. Villa taught at the Polly Street Art Centre, the only place where black artists in 1950s’ Johannesburg could pursue their art and show their works.

Among his pupils was Lucas Sithole, best known for his indigenous wood sculptures six of which, ranging in price from £5,000 to £50,000, are offered for the first time in forty years.

Hannah O’Leary, head of South African Art at Bonhams, commented, “South African sculpture is among the glories of the nation’s art. The works in the sale cover more than a century of South African art history and it’s a real pleasure to be able to offer so many fine and fascinating pieces.”