LONDON.- Bonhams will hold their inaugural sale of modern and contemporary Israeli Art and Judaica in their New Bond Street saleroom on May 24, the only auction of its kind in the UK.

Giles Peppiatt, Head of Israeli Art at Bonhams, comments: “The market for modern and contemporary Israeli & Judaica Art has shown exceptional growth and strength in recent years. The sale will provide an impressive showcase of works of the highest quality. Interest from both private collectors and museums internationally ensures that this event will be an exciting new venture for Bonhams. The company has sold Israeli and Judaica art in the past as part of its Travel and Topographical sales but this will be a stand alone sale of this art for the first time.”

Bonhams have teamed up with an Israeli partner in this venture, the Montefiore Auction House in Tel Aviv, which will help to source items for sale. Montefiore is situated in the centre of Tel Aviv, on 34 Nachmani Street, near the famous Rothschild Avenue. The Auction House holds several auctions each year at the prestigious Dan Hotel, which include both Israeli and international artworks: paintings, sculptures, photographs, graphic and paper art of past and present well-known artists.

Some early items in this first Bonhams sale in London include:

* Marcel Janco (1895 – 1984), Marina, 1930, Oil on canvas, estimate £ 100,000-150,000.

* Israel Hershberg B. 1948, Jerusalem, City Centre, 1989-90, Oil on canvas, Provenance: Marlborogh Gallery, London, £ 100,000-150,000

*Ludwig Blum, (Israeli, 1891-1975), Jerusalem, signed and dated 'L. Blum 1948'; signed in Hebrew oil on canvas £8,000-12,000

*Alexandre Markelbach, Lighting the Sabbah lamp, oil on panel, signed, £1,500-2,000

Bonhams has a distinguished track record in this market having sold some important works over the years that include:

*An Isidore Kaufman (Austrian 1853-1921), `Portrait of Rabbi Nadvorno’, oil on panel, sold for £90,000.

*Reuven Rubin (Israeli, 1893-1974) `Ruth’, 1963, oil on canvas, sold for £38,000.

*Ludwig Blum (Israeli, 1891-1975), `Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives’, oil on canvas, sold for £34,000.

*Theo Tobiasse (Israeli, born 1927) ‘Le poete est la coleur du temps qui passe’ sold for £20,000

*A pair of George III silver and parcel-gilt Rimmonim Torah scroll decorations) and matching Yad (reading pointer) sold for £62,000.