London – A signature work by Dame Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975), Winged Figure I, conceived in 1957, led Bonhams Modern British and Irish Art sale on 19 November at Bonhams New Bond Street, London. The work, which came to auction for the first time, achieved £1,258,400.

Ingram Reid, Director of Modern British & Irish Art at Bonhams, commented: "Winged Figure I is a defining work within Hepworth's oeuvre, and was the original form that she returned to for her famous commission sculpture for the John Lewis Partnership's Oxford Street store. A cast of the form on this scale had never before appeared at auction and we are delighted that it achieved such an impressive result."

Crafted from a subtly graduated sheet of rolled bronze, Winged Figure I, is adorned with sweeping copper toned wings, its surface enriched by hand-applied Isopon that lends a painterly depth and tonal complexity. Hepworth translated the form of Winged Figure I to a 6 meter variation in cast aluminium to fulfil her commission for the John Lewis Partnership in 1963. The work, sited on the company's Oxford Street store, remains one of London's most iconic public sculptures, and emblematic of Hepworth's ascendancy to a confirmed major figure in the canon of 20th century modernism.

Only four such large-scale Winged Figures exist; the other three reside in museum collections (McNay Art Museum, USA; Artizon Museum, Japan; and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, UK). Each of these four variations are uniquely finished, with the Bonhams example of Winged Figure I acquired directly from Hepworth's studio in 1968.

Other highlights of the sale included two paintings by legendary wartime Statesman and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965), consigned from the same Private U.S. Collection. The painting The Lake at Blenheim (Painted circa 1926-29), which was gifted by Churchill to Field Marshal Viscount 'Monty' Montgomery of Alamein, achieved £978,300 against an estimate of £400,000 – 600,000. Churchill's Le Béguinage, Bruges, (Painted in 1946) achieved £381,400.

Penny Day, Head of UK & Ireland, Modern British & Irish Art in London, commented: "A central figure of the 20th Century, Sir Winston Churchill left an indelible mark on modern history. Of course, best remembered for his wartime leadership, he was also a talented painter. His works – which he often gifted to those closest to him – are highly sought after by collectors. We are not surprised that these works, which included a painting of his beloved Blenheim Palace, achieved such wonderful results."

Sir Winston Churchill was born on November 30th, 1874, at Blenheim Palace, which was the home of his grandfather John, 7th Duke of Marlborough. Blenheim played a significant role as a backdrop to Churchill's life, acting as a reliable escape for a young boy returning from boarding school and later as a sanctuary for peaceful reflection in the most challenging moments of political and military life. Churchill chose to propose to his wife Clementine at Blenheim in 1908, stating that 'At Blenheim, I took two very important decisions: to be born and to marry. I am content with the decision I took on both occasions.'

The Lake at Blenheim (circa 1926-29) was a gift from Churchill to Field Marshal Viscount Montgomery of Alamein. Montgomery, or 'Monty' as he was known, was widely regarded as one of Britain's greatest field commanders.

Both works came from the collection of Arthur Murray, the world's best-known teacher of ballroom dance. By the time he stepped down as President of Arthur Murray Inc. in 1964, Mr. Murray had built a dance instruction empire including over 300 franchised dance studios globally and a series of dance instruction manuals that taught millions of Americans the confidence, poise, and skills of ballroom dancing.

Bonhams will also be offering further works from the collection of Arthur Murray in Spring 2026 in New York.

The 53-lot sale achieved a total of £4,782,010.

Other highlights of the sale included:

• Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A. (British, 1887-1976), Seascape. 36.9 x 48.2 cm. (14 1/2 x 19 in.). Sold for £571,900.

• Harold Gilman (British, 1876-1919), Interior. 45.5 x 35.7 cm. (17 7/8 x 14 1/8 in.). Sold for £171,850.

• Laurence Stephen Lowry R.A. (British, 1887-1976), Factory Scene. 11.5 x 13.4 cm. (4 1/2 x 5 1/4 in.). Sold for £95,650.

• Sir Stanley Spencer R.A. (British, 1891-1959), Baby in a Highchair. 50.6 x 76 cm. (19 7/8 x 29 7/8 in.). Sold for £95,650.

• Lynn Chadwick C.B.E., R.A. (British, 1914-2003), Two Winged Figures. 55.6 cm. (21 5/8 in.) high. Sold for £76,600.