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BONHAMS TO AUCTION ARAB ART

In a unique auctioneering bid, (literally!) contemporary paintings by some of the most influential and highly respected Arab artists of the 20th century will be sold by international fine art auctioneers Bonhams to coincide with London's Islamic Week on April 29.

The 98 works from the collection of UK-based Lebanese journalist, writer and publisher Riad El Rayyes and his wife Zeenat have all been created by artists hailing from the Middle East, from as far west as the Maghreb, all the way to the Arabian Gulf in the East. They include Hassan Soliman and Adam Henein from Egypt; Shibrain from Sudan; Cesar Gemayel, Amin El Basha, Zibawi, and Chafic Abbour from Lebanon; Said Tahseen, Louai Kayali, Nazir Nabaa, and Mahmoud Hammad from Syria; Saud Al Attar, Dia Azzawi, Rafa Nasiri, Ismail Fattah and Saleh Al Jumale from Iraq, and Mounira Al Kazi from Kuwait.

Mr. El Reyyes began collecting 20th Century Arab art in the 1960's, when he worked and travelled in many Arab countries as a foreign correspondent. He purchased works directly from the artists, many of whom he knows personally. Other older works were acquired from established collections and galleries, in Beirut, Damascus, Paris and London.

Bonhams' sale is expected to appeal to collectors at all price levels, from established buyers with sophisticated tastes to keen amateurs with a limited budget to spare. For instance, a portrait of a woman by Louai Kayali is estimated at US $14,000-18,000, and five works dating from the 1980's by Mahmoud Hammad are together estimated at US $ 7,000 to 15,000.

Watercolours by Dia Azzawi are expected to sell for US $ 2500 to 3000, while others by Saadi Al Kaabi are more readily affordable at US $ 900 to 1200. Prints by two female artists Nuha Al Radi and Mounira Al Kazi are among the most affordable, priced between US $ 700 and 1000.

The Riad El Rayyes Collection will be sold as part of Bonhams' sale of Islamic and Indian Art. Viewing starts on April 25, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (London Time), and continues till April 28.