Here's a question... How much would you pay for a 12-foot ornamental bee?

High-net worth art collectors will be buzzing around Sotheby's Material Worlds exhibition, this summer

Andrea Salvetti's Mazzolin di Fiori will be among the most tempting pieces of sculpture available to art collectors at Sotheby's Material Worlds exhibition at Sudely Castle, UK, this summer.

The piece comprises 1,500 aluminium floral forms and is priced at £74,000, a figure that may tempt collectors with an eye on selling in the future.

The Italian sculptor has been making a name for himself of late, and is a regular exhibitor at prestigious events throughout Europe.

Also sure to catch the eye at the Gloucestershire event, which opens on July 28, is what appears to be a large aluminium "U" or tuning fork made by Paul Fryer. It could be yours for £216,000.

Now in its second year, the Janice Blackburn-curated event will feature 13 artists in all.

Andrea Salvetti's Mazzolin di Fiori has a £74,000 price tag

At the more affordable end of things, two large bees, both designed by a Lebanese women's collective using metal and vintage fabric, will be on offer for £13,200 and £9,000 respectively.

Those looking for affordable yet potentially valuable works of art in years to come may also wish to see what is available on the private markets, where gems such as this Orlanda Broom work can be unearthed.

These are exciting times for Sotheby's art department.

The auction house has recently renewed its sponsorship of Tate Britain's contemporary art commissions. It is hoped the three-year deal will encourage more ground breaking ideas in the mould of the two fighter jets installed by sculptor Fiona Banner last year.

Make sure you check back here regularly to see how Material Worlds fares as the summer progresses.

The exhibition runs until September 30.

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The auction house's final event of the season was a hit with the bidders...

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Image: Sotheby's