Following a prolonged bidding battle, Benedict Palmeiua Munkara’s Male And Female Figures of Purukapali and Bim, executed on Bathurst Island in the 1960s, soared to £251,000 (AU$430,566), far in excess of the £30,000-50,000 estimate and setting a record for an aboriginal sculpture at auction. An artist record was set for Warlimpirringa Tjapaltjarri’s untitled painting from 2007, which more than doubled pre-sale expectations to sell for £167,000 (AU$286,473) (estimate: £50,000-80,000). Overall, the auction achieved £1.6m (AU$2.8m), representing a 55% increase in value from last year’s inaugural edition of the Aboriginal Art sale in London.

Tim Klingender, Senior Consultant, Australian Art to Sotheby's London, said “The remarkable prices achieved in the saleroom today reflect the depth of interest from across the globe for these hugely important works of art. To see so much international bidding - and so many new buyers entering the field - points to an exciting future for this annual event in London.”