LONDON (AP) - A London auction house has sold artwork said to be by Nelson Mandela despite objections from Mandela’s lawyer.
The lawyer, Bally Chuene, said in a statement that Mandela “strongly disassociates himself” from the auction, and the artwork is the subject of a legal dispute in South Africa. Mandela and his former lawyer are at odds over whether proceeds from sales of Mandela prints are going to charity, as intended.
Bonhams, which put two prints on sale Wednesday, said both were by Mandela. It said the sale of such prints was authorized by the Mandela Trust.
The auctioneers said that, while proceeds from some Mandela prints go to the trust, there are no restrictions on their onward sale. One of the prints sold for 4,800 pounds ($7,567); the other did not sell.
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