What is the estimated value of this Cecil Higgs 'Arum Lilies' painting?

This Cecil Higgs 'Arum Lilies' oil painting has an estimated market value of $25,000 - $35,000. This valuation is primarily based on the recent sale of what is almost certainly the identical painting at Strauss & Co in March 2024, which fetched approximately $26,500. The range accounts for the artwork's exceptional quality, the artist's strong market, and its highly desirable subject matter.

What era is this Cecil Higgs 'Arum Lilies' painting from?

This 'Arum Lilies' painting by Cecil Higgs is from the Mid-20th Century, specifically dated to 1960-61. This period represents the artist's mature style, characterized by her expressive impasto technique and semi-abstract floral compositions. Works from this era are highly sought after and are considered prime examples of her contribution to South African modernism.

What condition is this Cecil Higgs artwork in?

Based on visual assessment, the painting appears to be in good, stable condition, consistent with its age. The heavy impasto surface is intact, showing no visible signs of significant cracking, flaking, or paint loss. The colors remain vibrant, and there are no apparent major condition issues that would negatively impact its estimated value. No restoration history is known.

Where should I sell this Cecil Higgs 'Arum Lilies' painting?

To achieve the best price for this Cecil Higgs 'Arum Lilies' painting, it is strongly recommended to consign it to a specialist South African art auction house like Strauss & Co. They are market leaders for the artist and recently sold an identical work for a premium. Bonhams London's South African Art sales are also a strong alternative for international reach.

What makes Cecil Higgs' 'Arum Lilies' paintings valuable?

Cecil Higgs' 'Arum Lilies' paintings are highly valuable due to several factors. Higgs is a pioneering South African modernist with a strong market. The 'Arum Lilies' subject is one of her most iconic and commercially desirable themes. Furthermore, the painting's exceptional use of dynamic impasto technique showcases her technical mastery, making it a prime example of her critically acclaimed mature style.

How confident is the valuation for this Cecil Higgs painting?

The valuation for this Cecil Higgs painting holds a high confidence level of 80%. This is primarily due to the direct visual match and recent sale of what is almost certainly the identical painting at a reputable auction house. While a physical inspection is recommended for absolute certainty, the strong comparable sale provides a very robust and current market benchmark for its value.

Cecil Higgs (South African, 1898-1986), 'Arum Lilies', Oil on Canvas

Estimated value: $25,000 - $35,000. Cecil Higgs (South African, 1898-1986), 'Arum Lilies', Oil on Canvas (Mid-20th Century) — a researched valuation with cited comparable sales in Fine Art, from findthevalueof.com.

About this item

This powerful painting is a signature work by Cecil Higgs, one of the most important pioneers of South African modernism. Born in the Orange Free State, Higgs spent formative years studying in Europe before returning to South Africa, where she became renowned for her unique visual language that translated the natural world into expressive, semi-abstract compositions. She was particularly drawn to the organic forms of the coast near her home in Hermanus, and this fascination extended to the lush flora of the region. 'Arum Lilies', likely painted in 1960-61, captures a subject to which Higgs returned throughout her career. Here, the familiar floral forms dissolve into a dynamic arrangement of color and texture. The artist's use of heavy impasto—building the paint up into sculptural peaks and valleys—moves beyond mere representation to convey the vital energy of the subject itself. This work is a superb example of her mature style, embodying the shift in South African art towards a modern, internationally-inflected, yet distinctly local, form of expression.

How the value was reached

The valuation is primarily anchored by the recent sale of what is almost certainly the identical painting at Strauss & Co on March 19, 2024, for ZAR 485,205 (approximately $26,500). This provides a direct and highly relevant benchmark for its current fair market value. The range of $25,000 - $35,000 reflects this strong result and accounts for the exceptional quality and desirable subject matter. A more dated 2008 sale of a different subject by the artist for approximately $11,500 serves as historical context but is given low weight. Recommended Reserve Price: $20,000 - $24,000. Net Proceeds Estimate: After a typical seller's commission of 10-15%, the seller could expect to receive approximately $21,250 - $31,500.

Comparable sales

Oil on canvas by Cecil Higgs (South African, 1898-1986) titled "Arum Lilies," signed and dated 60-61. It measures 76 by 126.5cm (excluding frame) and has labels from the Pretoria Art Museum and South African National Gallery on the reverse. — sold for ZAR 485,205 (Strauss & Co.), 2024-03-19
Nude in a landscape, oil on canvas, 76 x 51 cm (30 x 20 in). — sold for $11,475 (MutualArt), 2008-01-30

Expert notes

This is a significant work by Cecil Higgs, and its value is strongly supported by a recent sale of what appears to be the same painting. To secure the highest valuation and confirm its identity beyond any doubt, we strongly recommend a physical inspection of the back of the canvas. This will allow for verification of the artist's signature, date, and the important museum exhibition labels mentioned in the 2024 auction record.