London – One of the most significant works to come to market by the Egyptian artist, Hamed Nada (1924-1990), triumphed in the Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art sale on 13 November at Bonhams New Bond Street. Battle for Liberation (Maerakat al-Tahrir), executed in 1970 and exhibited at a landmark show of Egyptian modernism in Musée Galliera in Paris in 1971, achieved £216,300, more than three times its estimate of £70,000-100,000. A rare and monumental diptych entitled, El Zar, by Omar El Nagdi also held the top spot, achieving £216,300.

The 114-lot sale made £2.4 million with 97 % sold by value.

Noor Soussi, Head of Bonhams Modern and Contemporary Middle Eastern Art Department, commented: "We are delighted with result for this sale. Battle for Liberation (Maerakat al Tahrir) by Hamed Nada is a truly exceptional piece and one of the most important works by the artist to come to market in recent years. Large in scale and distinct in its subject matter, the painting stands out for its distinguished provenance and its unique exhibition history. It is no surprise to see such a high level of interest in this work."

Among the highlights in the sale included:

• Faeq Hassan (Iraq, 1914-1992), Abstract Couple with Dog, oil on canvas, framed, signed "Faik.H" and dated "1966" (lower right), executed in 1966, 100 x 86.5cm (39 3/8 x 34 1/16in) achieved £108,350 more than double its estimate of £40,000-60,000.

• Mahmoud Sabri (Iraq, 1927-2012), CACO3 + H2O, acrylic on canvas, signed, dated and titled on the verso, authenticated by the artist's daughter Yasmin Sabri on the reverse of the stretcher, executed in 1969, 60 x 50cm (23 5/8 x 19 11/16in) achieved £108,350 more than three times its estimate £30,000-50,000.

• Ismail Shammout (Palestine, 1930-2006), Vendors in Jerusalem, oil on canvas, framed, signed "Ismail" and dated "66" in Arabic (lower right), executed in 1966, 48.5 x 98cm (19 1/8 x 38 9/16in). Achieved £95,650 (estimate £30,000-50,000)

• Louay Kayyali (Syria, 1934-1978), The Shoe Shine Boy (masih al-ahdhia), oil on panel, framed signed "Louay Kayyali" and dated "1972" in Arabic (lower left), titled on the verso, executed in 1972, 75 x 89.5cm (29 1/2 x 35 1/4in). Achieved £76,600 (estimate £40,000-60,000)