Sister, a striking green bust by the African American sculptor and artist Elizabeth Cartlett (1915-2012), auctioned with impressive results in New York on February 14.
 Cartlett’s Sister sold as part of an auction dedicated to the work of African American artists |
Originally exhibited in Harlem's Studio Museum, the sculpture, which is carved from green Mexican marble, brought $114,000 - a 14% increase on its $100,000 high estimate. The record price achieved by a Cartlett sculpture, or any work by the artist, currently stands at $288,000. It is held by the 1968 sculpture, Homage to My Young Black Sisters, which sold in October 2008.
During her lifetime, Elizabeth Cartlett made many valuable contributions to the African American fine art scene, as well as to the art world more generally. The bust is initialled "EC" and is believed to be circa 1971.
87% of the world's leading 200 art buyers own contemporary pieces according to the 2012 Artnews 200 report. For more information on the investment potential of the market, visit our investing in art and photography page.
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