Sohrab Sepehri work hits new record at Tehran Auction

The 7th edition of the Tehran Auction has been held at Parsian Azadi Hotel, presenting 72 classic and modern artworks by acclaimed Iranian artists.

Held on July 7 in the Iranian capital city of Tehran, the Tehran Auction sold more than 26 billion tomans (about $8 million), with a painting by late famed artist Sohrab Sepehri - hitting a new record.

The highest estimated piece was a painting from the ‘Trees’ series by modern Iranian poet and painter Sepehri (1928-1980), estimated at $660,000-930,000, which sold at auction for about $800,000.

The second most valuable estimated work of the auction was the sculpture ‘Poet and Cage’ by Iranian sculptor and painter Parviz Tanavoli, 80, estimated at $530,000-800,000, which sold for about $650,000.

The base estimated prices for different artworks had ranges from $8,000 to $930,000.

Works by abstract expressionist Manouchehr Yektai, mosaic artist, painter, sketch artist and fashion illustrator Monir Farmanfarmayan, painter and sculptor Hossein Zenderoudi, painter, sculptor Bahman Mohasses (1931-2010), painter Mohammad Ghaffari (AKA Kamal-ol-Molk (1859-1940)), and master of Persian painting and miniatures Mahmoud Farshchian were among the highest prices of the auction.

The previous two editions of the auction, held in May 2016 and 2015, at the same venue, generated $7.4 and $6.4 million, respectively, both marking a historic moment in the history of Iran’s fine arts.

The first of its kind in Iran, Tehran Auction was launched in 2012 as a private, independent initiative to introduce the best of Iranian art ranging from established and emerging Iranian artists to Iranian art collectors and global buyers.

It also aims to support the domestic art market as a key basis for the international market. Tehran Auction works widely with Iranian art galleries and collectors to ensure a vast and strong selection of paintings, sculptures and photographs.

Similar to last year’s edition, actor, screenwriter, director and TV presenter Hossein Pakdel conducted the event.

MG/AI