In pictures: First sale of modern and contemporary African art at London Sotheby's

(DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

An employee poses with with an artwork entitled 'World On Its Hinds Legs' 2010' by South African artist William Kentridge, with an starting price of 70,000-90,000 pounds / 87,000-112,000 dollars during a photocall to promote the forthcoming inaugural 'Sale of Modern and Contemporary African Art' at Sotheby's in London. More than 115 different artworks by 60 artists from 14 different countries were auctioned by Sotheby's on May 16.

 (Getty Images Sotheby's)

A Sotheby's employee walks past Earth Developing More Roots by El Anatsui, estimated at £650,000-£850,000 during a press call for an inaugural sale of modern and contemporary African art at Sotheby's in London, England. The sale took place 16th May 2017 with works by over 60 different artists from 14 countries across the continent of Africa and pre-sale exhibitions in Paris, Johannesburg, Cape Town, New York and London.

(DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

An employee poses with an artwork entitled 'Crash Willy', 2009 by British-Nigerian artist, Yinka Shonibare MBE, priced at 120,00 - 180,00 pounds / 149,00 - 224,00 dollars during a photocall to promote the forthcoming inaugural 'Sale of Modern and Contemporary African Art' at Sotheby's in London. More than 115 different artworks by 60 artists from 14 different countries were auctioned by Sotheby's on May 16. 

(Getty Images Sotheby's)

Sotheby's employees pose next to Composition No. 25 (Soleil), estimated at £10,000-£15,000 during a press call for an inaugural sale of modern and contemporary African art at Sotheby's in London, England. The sale took place on 16th May 2017 with works by over 60 different artists from 14 countries across the continent of Africa and pre-sale exhibitions in Paris, Johannesburg, Cape Town, New York and London. 

(Getty Images Sotheby's)

A Sotheby's employee poses next to Earth Developing More Roots by El Anatsui, estimated at £650,000-£850,000 during a press call for an inaugural sale of modern and contemporary African art at Sotheby's in London, England. The sale took place on 16th May 2017 with works by over 60 different artists from 14 countries across the continent of Africa and pre-sale exhibitions in Paris, Johannesburg, Cape Town, New York and London. 

(DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP/Getty Images)

An employee poses in front of an artwork entitled 'ICARUS CHOCOLATE', 2013, by artist Angolan-Portuguese artist, Francisco Vidal with a starting price of 15,000 - 20,000 pounds / 18,700-24,900 dollars, during a photocall to promote the forthcoming inaugural 'Sale of Modern and Contemporary African Art' at Sotheby's in London. More than 115 different artworks by 60 artists from 14 different countries were auctioned by Sotheby's  May 16th. 

(Getty Images Sotheby's)

A woman looks at artwork on display during a press call for an inaugural sale of modern and contemporary African art at Sotheby's in London, England. The sale took place on 16th May 2017 with works by over 60 different artists from 14 countries across the continent of Africa and pre-sale exhibitions in Paris, Johannesburg, Cape Town, New York and London. 

(Getty Images Sotheby's)

A Sotheby's art handler poses with Sunflowers by Irma Stern, estimated at £350,000-£550,000 during a press call for an inaugural sale of modern and contemporary African art at Sotheby's in London, England. The sale took place on 16th May 2017 with works by over 60 different artists from 14 countries across the continent of Africa and pre-sale exhibitions in Paris, Johannesburg, Cape Town, New York and London.