Featured Image: Orpheus (Maquette I) 52.4 cm. (20 5/8 in.) high (including the wooden base)Conceived in 1956, the present work is number 3 from the edition of 8
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Orpheus (Maquette I) by Dame Barbara Hepworth (British, 1903-1975) will lead the Bonhams Modern British and Irish Art sale on 18 June at Bonhams New Bond Street, London. The work has an estimate of £400,000 - 600,000.

Christopher Dawson, Head of Department for Modern British & Irish Art, commented: "Orpheus (Maquette I) exemplifies Hepworth's genius in marrying classical inspiration with modernist form. It is a perfect harmony in sculptural form and belongs to a group of rare-to-the-market stringed pieces. Dating to 1956 and accompanied by exceptional provenance, we expect the work to receive a great deal of interest from collectors."

Barbara Hepworth (1903–1975) was a central figure in the development of modern art in Britain. Alongside contemporaries such as Henry Moore and Ben Nicholson, she helped redefine the boundaries of sculpture. Her works are held in major collections worldwide, including the Tate, the Hepworth Wakefield, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Like many artists before her Hepworth took as one of her inspirations the story of Orpheus, the musician and poet of Greek mythology, who was symbolised by thelyre, with which he produced a spellbinding sound that instilled harmony in theworld. This aligned with Hepworth's modernist vision of giving sculptural shapeto ideal states of equilibrium.

Orpheus (Maquette I) was acquired directly from Hepworth by Maurice & Ruth Ash of Dartington Hall. In the 20th Century this historic Devonian house became a mecca for creatives and free thinkers under the tenure of Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirstwho acquired the property in 1925 and later established the Dartington School –a  pioneering centre in alternative education. Students included Lucian and Clement Freud, Kirsty Lang and Jasia Reichardt, as well as Hepworth's own son, Simon.

Eldest and only daughter of the Elmhirst's, Ruth married Wimbledon competitor and army veteran Maurice Ash in 1947. The couple spent the early years of their marriage in Essex, where Ash founded the Harlow Arts Trust, and returned to Devon in 1962 moving to Sharpham House on the river Dart. Both Maurice and Ruth served as Trustees of Dartington, with Maurice also serving as Chairman of the Trust. The work has been presented to benefit the Charities Aid Foundation(CAF) for philanthropic purposes.

Other highlights of the sale include:

•  Paul Henry R.H.A. (Irish, 1876-1958), The Milk Cart. Estimate: £120,000 - 180,000.
•  Sir Stanley Spencer R.A. (British, 1891-1959), Portrait of Lady Slesser. Estimate: £100,000 - 150,000.
•  Edward Burra (British, 1905-1976), The Riot. Estimate: £100,000 - 150,000.
•  Jack B. Yeats R.H.A. (Irish, 1871-1957), Crossing the City. Estimate: £100,000 - 150,000.
•  Lynn Chadwick R.A. (British, 1914-2003), Cloaked Couple I. Estimate: £100,000 - 150,000.