Kenya held its first commercial auction of East African art at the Kempinski Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya on Tuesday. The auction was marked by a glamorous champagne reception hosted by G.H. MUMM, the official champagne of Formula 1 with a mix of the elite Nairobi society in attendance.

The auction which is reflective of the sign of a growing profile of the region’s art scene on the international stage featured  works of Kenyan artists will dominate the auction, but artists from Ethiopia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Organised by The Circle Art Agency noted that some of the works for sale have not been seen in public for decades. Prices ranged from several hundred dollars for some pieces up to more than $28,000