Rare Hockney signed lithograph makes $109,000 at Bonhams art auction

A signed proof copy of Hockney's Image of Celia proved a hit with collectors on Wednesday

A rare, signed proof copy of the lithograph, An Image of Celia, in the original frame, hand painted by David Hockney sold for £66,000 at Bonhams on April 20.

Dating from the mid-1980s, the Picasso-like image of Hockney's close friend, and muse, the textile designer Celia Birtwell, had an estimate of £60,000-80,000.  

A rare earthenware ceramic cat made by Hockney in 1955 sold for £33,600 against a pre-sale estimate of £5,000-7,000 at the same sale.

See Celia? She broke many hearts at Bonhams

Although Hockney experimented with ceramics in his youth, the works rarely appear at auction and the subject matter - a startled looking cat - is in interesting contrast to the artist's famous love of dogs.  

Hockney investors also fought over an early work, the lithograph Fires of Furious Desire - The Most Beautiful Boy in the World, from 1963, which sold for £14,260.

Moving Focus - Walking Past Two Chairs from the mid-1980s, which had been estimated at £20,000-30,000, made £50,400.

In total the sale realised £634,890, with 92% of lots sold.