Modern British & Irish Art 18 Jun 2025 London, New Bond Street Dame Barbara Hepworth (British, 1903-1975) Orpheus (Maquette 1) 52.4cm. (20 5/8in.) high (including the wooden base) Conceived in 1956, the present work is number 3from an edition of 8London – Orpheus (Maquette I) by Dame Barbara Hepworth (British, 1903-1975) was the top lot of Bonhams' Modern British and Irish Art sale on 18 June at Bonhams New Bond Street, London.

The work achieved £952,900 against a pre-sale estimate of £400,000 - 600,000. The 65-lot sale made a total of £3,588,976. Christopher Dawson, Head of Department for Modern British & Irish Art, commented: "This was a really strong sale with many exceptional results, but Orpheus (Maquette I) by Dame Barbara Hepworth was certainly the star of the show. The work belonged to a group of rare-to-the-market stringed pieces which exemplified Hepworth's genius in creating a perfect harmony of classical inspiration with modernist form. Dating to 1956 and accompanied by exceptional provenance, it is no surprise that this work achieved such a fantastic result."

Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975) was a central figure in the development of modern art in Britain. Alongside contemporaries such as Henry Moore and Ben Nicholson, she helped redefine the boundaries of sculpture. Her works are held in major collections worldwide, including the Tate, the Hepworth Wakefield, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Like many artists before her Hepworth took as one of her inspirations the story of Orpheus, the musician and poet of Greek mythology, who was symbolised by the lyre, with which he produced a spellbinding sound that instilled harmony in the world. This aligned with Hepworth's modernist vision of giving sculptural shape to ideal states of equilibrium.

Orpheus (Maquette I) was acquired directly from Hepworth by Maurice & Ruth Ash of Dartington Hall. In the 20th Century this historic Devonian house became a mecca for creatives and free thinkers under the tenure of Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst who acquired the property in 1925 and later established the Dartington School – a pioneering centre in alternative education. Students included Lucian and Clement Freud, Kirsty Lang and Jasia Reichardt, as well as Hepworth's own son, Simon.

The work has been presented to benefit the Charities Aid Foundation(CAF) for philanthropic purposes. Other highlights of the sale include:

• Frank Auerbach (British, 1931-2024), E.O.W. Lying on her Bed I , 21.3x 50.7cm. (83/8x 19 7/8in.). Sold for £406,800.

• Sir William Nicholson (British, 1872-1949), Roses and Knitting , 33 x40.6cm. (13 x16 in.). Sold for £254,400. • Paul Henry R.H.A. (Irish, 1876-1958), The Milk Cart , 38.4x 55.5cm. (15 1/8x 21 7/8in.). Sold for £241,700.

• Sir Stanley Spencer R.A. (British, 1891-1959), Portrait of Lady Slesser, 71.5x 61 cm. (28 1/8x 24 in.). Sold for £178,200.

• Roger Fry (British, 1866-1934), Poinsettias in a Vase, 91 x71.1cm. (35 3/4x 28 in.). Sold for £127,400.

• Edward Burra (British, 1905-1976), The Riot, 78.5x 110.6cm. (30 7/8x 43 1/2in.). Sold for £114,700.

• Eric William Ravilious (British, 1903-1942), The Red House , 40.2x 46.4cm. (15 3/4x 18 1/4in.). Sold for £102,000. 18 June 2025