A boxing sketch in felt pen by the late Muhammad Ali sold for more than $580,000 at an auction in New York of his little-known art works, some of which went for many times over estimates.
Key points:
- Muhammad Ali liked to sketch as a way to wind down
- The 26 art works sold for a total of $1,302,087, more than three times the lower end of estimates
- Subjects of the art included Ali's career, nature paintings, social justice and religion
The sketch, called Sting Like a Bee and drawn on paper in 1978, was the most sought-after work among 26 paintings, drawings and sketches by the former heavyweight champion that reflected Ali's interest in religion, social justice and his own career.
It carried a pre-sale estimate of $US40,000 ($55,084) to $US60,000 ($82,626).
"Ref, he did float like a butterfly and sting like a bee!" reads the speech bubble from a boxer knocked down by an opponent whose arms are raised in victory.
Ali famously used the phrase to describe his boxing style.
The Acrylic on board painting Eastern Sunrise by boxing great Muhammad Ali, painted in 1979, was sold by Bonhams in New York for $US12,750 ($17,513) (Bonhams: Muhammad Ali)
Bonhams auctioneers said that 26 art works by Ali sold on Tuesday for a total of $US945,524 ($1,302,087), more than three times the lower end of estimates of their value.
Sting Like A Bee was bought by a British-based collector of Ali memorabilia, Bonhams said. Other buyers were not identified.
Ali's passion for art was little known but he liked to sketch as a way of unwinding after a fight or training.
Some of the works for sale were traditional nature paintings, while others were more personal, cartoon-like sketches.
A 1979 red, white and blue painting on canvas, with the words "I Love You America", sold for $US150,000, while a 1967 sketch in felt pen comparing Islam to Christianity and depicting a lynching fetched $US24,000.
The acrylic on canvas painting I Love You America was sold by Bonhams for $US24,000. (Bonhams: Muhammad Ali)
The former world heavyweight champion — who announced his conversion to Islam in 1964 after winning the title for the first time when he went by the name Cassius Clay — died in 2016 at age 74 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
His paintings and drawings came from the collection of Rodney Hilton Brown, who worked with Ali on his art.
His father, Cassius Clay Sr, was a professional artist of signs, billboards and ecclesiastical paintings in Baptist churches.
The boxing great liked to draw to relax after fights or training. (Getty: Paul Hawthorne)
