A major bronze sculpture by Henry Moore, 'King and Queen' (1952-53), will be the top lot at Christie's 20th/21st Century evening sale in London on March 5. The work, estimated at £15 million ($20.5 million), is the first cast from an edition and the only one remaining in private hands, having been acquired directly from the artist by its current anonymous owner.
The sale is significant as it presents a rare opportunity to acquire a key work by a canonical British sculptor. The sculpture's provenance and its status as the sole privately held cast from the primary edition heighten its market appeal, with Christie's specialists highlighting its unique blend of abstraction and figuration inspired by ancient Egyptian art. Its performance will be closely watched against Moore's existing auction record.