Beni Kosh Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Beni Kosh Art Value Price Guide

May. 18, 2024
Charles E. Harris, aka Beni E. Kosh, 1917-1993, La Tete A Ete Guillotine
Est: $500 - $700
Charles E. Harris, aka Beni E. Kosh 1917-1993 La Tete A Ete Guillotine 1967 oil on board 23-3/4 x 15-7/8 inches signed, titled and dated; estate stamp verso with #278 Kosh was also known as Charles Elmer Harris. Steven Litt, art critic for The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) had this to say about Kosh in an article written in 1995, when the body of his work was discovered: "Harris at his best was a powerful artist with a keen eye and a knack for painting both abstractions and representational imagery. His identity as an African American comes through strongly not only in his choice of neighborhood scenes but in the inspiration he drew from African art and contemporary African American artists including [Jacob] Lawrence." Charles Elmer Harris was born in 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Central High School in Cleveland, and then enlisted as a merchant marine. His tour led him to ports in North Africa, where he "discovered" his African heritage. He eventually learned French and converted to Islam. In the 1960's, he legally changed his name to Beni E. Kosh or "Son Of Ethiopia". He was a student of Cleveland artist Paul Travis at the Cleveland Institute of Art and later connected to the "Sho Nuff Art Group", a group of African-American artists, and the Karamu House artist group. He developed vision problems and stopped painting by 1977. Kosh scarcely ever exhibited or sold his work. It was not until the end of his life that his works were "rediscovered" and amassed recognition.
Black Art Auction
Dec. 02, 2023
Beni E. Kosh, 1917-1993, untitled, Industrial Scene
Est: $250 - $350
Beni E. Kosh 1917-1993 untitled, Industrial Scene c. 1950-1960 oil on canvas board 16 x 12 inches artist's stamp (Beni Kosh) verso, with estate number (#425) Kosh was also known as Charles Elmer Harris. Steven Litt, art critic for The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) had this to say about Kosh in an article written in 1995, when the body of his work was discovered: âHarris at his best was a powerful artist with a keen eye and a knack for painting both abstractions and representational imagery. His identity as an African American comes through strongly not only in his choice of neighborhood scenes but in the inspiration he drew from African art and contemporary African American artists including [Jacob] Lawrence.â Charles Elmer Harris was born in 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Central High School in Cleveland, and then enlisted as a merchant marine. His tour led him to ports in North Africa, where he âdiscoveredâ his African heritage. He eventually learned French and converted to Islam. In the 1960âs, he legally changed his name to Beni E. Kosh or âSon Of Ethiopiaâ. He was a student of Cleveland artist Paul Travis at the Cleveland Institute of Art and later connected to the âSho Nuff Art Groupâ, a group of African-American artists, and the Karamu House artist group. He developed vision problems and stopped painting by 1977. Kosh scarcely ever exhibited or sold his work. It was not until the end of his life that his works were ârediscoveredâ and amassed recognition. Koshâs work is noted in the catalog Yet Still, We Rise: African American Art in Cleveland 1920 â 1970 and included in exhibitions at the Cleveland State University and the Butler Institute of American Art. (1996)
Black Art Auction
Dec. 02, 2023
Beni E. Kosh, 1917-1993, untitled, Town Scene with Church Steeple
Est: $250 - $350
Beni E. Kosh 1917-1993 untitled, Town Scene with Church Steeple c. 1950-1960 oil on canvas board 16 x 12 inches artist's stamp (Beni Kosh) verso, with estate number (#475) Kosh was also known as Charles Elmer Harris. Steven Litt, art critic for The Plain Dealer (Cleveland) had this to say about Kosh in an article written in 1995, when the body of his work was discovered: âHarris at his best was a powerful artist with a keen eye and a knack for painting both abstractions and representational imagery. His identity as an African American comes through strongly not only in his choice of neighborhood scenes but in the inspiration he drew from African art and contemporary African American artists including [Jacob] Lawrence.â Charles Elmer Harris was born in 1917 in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Central High School in Cleveland, and then enlisted as a merchant marine. His tour led him to ports in North Africa, where he âdiscoveredâ his African heritage. He eventually learned French and converted to Islam. In the 1960âs, he legally changed his name to Beni E. Kosh or âSon Of Ethiopiaâ. He was a student of Cleveland artist Paul Travis at the Cleveland Institute of Art and later connected to the âSho Nuff Art Groupâ, a group of African-American artists, and the Karamu House artist group. He developed vision problems and stopped painting by 1977. Kosh scarcely ever exhibited or sold his work. It was not until the end of his life that his works were ârediscoveredâ and amassed recognition. Koshâs work is noted in the catalog Yet Still, We Rise: African American Art in Cleveland 1920 â 1970 and included in exhibitions at the Cleveland State University and the Butler Institute of American Art. (1996)
Black Art Auction
Feb. 28, 2023
Charles Elmer Harris (Beni Kosh), (American 1917-1993), Still Life, Oil on Board, Frame: 12 1/2 x 9 1/2 in. (31.8 x 24.1 cm.)
Est: $30 - $50
Charles Elmer Harris (Beni Kosh), (American 1917-1993), Still Life, Oil on Board,
Weschler's
Oct. 22, 2022
Charles E. Harris oil
Est: $200 - $400
Charles Harris (American 1917-1993) ''Majolie Margo''- oil on masonite, 1966, signed ''Majolie/ Margo/Beni Kosh '68' lower right, estate stamped and numbered 212 verso, framed. 12 x 10''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Mar. 12, 2022
Beni E. Kosh, 1917-1993, lot of two works: Railyard and Landscape
Est: $800 - $1,200
Beni E. Kosh 1917-1993 lot of two works: Railyard and Landscape Railyard c. 1955 watercolor on paper 12 x 9 inches unsigned, estate stamp, "Beni Kosh" verso, with Landscape, c. 1955 gouache on board 8 x 12 inches unsigned, estate stamp, "Beni Kosh" verso.
Black Art Auction
Dec. 04, 2021
Beni E. Kosh, 1917-1993, Composition 402
Est: $800 - $1,200
Beni E. Kosh 1917-1993 Composition 402 1957 gouache on board 20 3/8 x 15 inches signed and dated
Black Art Auction
Dec. 04, 2021
Beni E. Kosh, 1917-1993, Studio B
Est: $800 - $1,200
Beni E. Kosh 1917-1993 Studio B 1951 oil on canvas board 20 x 16 inches signed and dated
Black Art Auction
Nov. 14, 2020
BENI KOSH (AMERICAN, 1917-1993) OUTSIDER ART ABSTRACT PAINTING
Est: $80 - $120
BENI KOSH (AMERICAN, 1917-1993) OUTSIDER ART ABSTRACT PAINTING, oil on board, signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner, estate stamped and numbered "Beni / Kosh / COLLECTION / #16". Housed in a modern frame.
Jeffrey S. Evans & Associates
Oct. 08, 2019
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI E. KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Two surreal paintings.
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI E. KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Two surreal paintings. Crosstown, 1955. Signed, titled and dated in oil, lower right * Composition #440. Both oil on canvas board, circa 1955. Both 610x457 mm; 24x18 inches. Both numbered in ink, and with the artist's ink stamp "Ben Kosh Collection" on the verso. Provenance: Rachel Davis Fine Arts, Shaker Heights, OH; John Axelrod, Boston (2000); the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2011); private collection, 2013.
Swann Auction Galleries
Oct. 08, 2019
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI E. KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Two surreal paintings.
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI E. KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Two surreal paintings. Composition #576 * Composition #598. Both oil on canvas board, circa 1955. Both 610x457 mm; 24x18 inches. Both numbered in ink, and with the artist's ink stamp "Ben Kosh Collection" on the verso. Provenance: Rachel Davis Fine Arts, Shaker Heights, OH; John Axelrod, Boston (2000); the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2011); private collection, 2013.
Swann Auction Galleries
Oct. 20, 2018
Charles E. Harris oil
Est: $200 - $400
Charles E. Harris (American 1917-1993)- ''Tetes, S'il vous Plait''- oil on panel, 1967, signed Beni Kosh 67 and titled lower right, estate stamped and numbered verso. 24 x 16''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Aug. 11, 2018
Charles E. Harris watercolors
Est: $100 - $200
Charles E. Harris (American 1917-1993)- Untitled- 10 watercolors on paper, one signed 'Beni Kosh' 64, all estate stamped on verso, water staining, some tears and chips around edges, various sizes.
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Dec. 16, 2017
Painting, Beni E Kosh/Charles Elmer Harris
Est: $200 - $400
Beni E Kosh/Charles Elmer Harris (American, 1917-1993), Portrait of a Man, oil on canvas board, signed verso, canvas board: 19"h x 15"w, overall (with frame): 20.25"h x 16.25"w
Clars Auctions
Dec. 04, 2016
Charles Harris "Les Seul Fenetres' O/M
Est: $100 - $200
Charles Harris (Beni Kosh) (American, 1917-1993), "Les Seul Fenetres" oil on masonite signed, dated lower right "Beni Kosh 65" together with a floral still life, oil on panel signed lower left "F. Petersen". Largest sight size: 15 1/2" high, 23 3/4" wide. Smallest: 13 1/2" high, 9 1/2" wide. Largest frame size: 16 1/4" high, 24 1/2" wide. Smallest: 19 3/4" high, 15 3/4" wide. Condition: still life with loss upper right.
Schwenke Auctioneers
May. 02, 2015
Charles Harris 2 oils
Est: $80 - $150
Charles Harris (American 1917-1993)- ''#N3'' and ''#N4''- oil on panel, 1966, signed 'Beni Kosh', titled and dated lower right, both estate stamped 2#, 223 & 234 verso. 11 3/4 x 10''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Dec. 06, 2014
Beni E. Kosh (Charles Elmer Harris), (American, 1917-1993), Abstraction, 1952, oil on board, 7.75" x 11.75"
Est: $300 - $500
Beni E. Kosh (Charles Elmer Harris) (American, 1917-1993) Abstraction, 1952 oil on board signed and dated lower right 7.75" x 11.75"
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Dec. 06, 2014
Beni E. Kosh (Charles Elmer Harris), (American, 1917-1993), Abstraction, 1965, oil on board, 16" x 11.5"
Est: $300 - $500
Beni E. Kosh (Charles Elmer Harris) (American, 1917-1993) Abstraction, 1965 oil on board signed and dated lower left 16" x 11.5"
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Aug. 23, 2014
Charles Elmer Harris aka Beni Kosh (Am, 1917-1993)
Est: $150 - $250
Lake. Oil on canvas. Signed (verso). Canvas size 22 x 26 inches. Unframed.
Capo Auction
Jun. 01, 2014
Beni E. Kosh (Charles Elmer Harris) (American, 1917-1933) Seated Nude at Window
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Beni E. Kosh (Charles Elmer Harris) (American, 1917-1933) "Seated Nude at Window", c. 1967; oil/canvas, 30" x 22"; estate stamp verso. Provenance: Bingham & Vance Gallery, Cleveland.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Mar. 22, 2014
Charles E. Harris oil
Est: $200 - $400
Charles Elmer Harris (American 1917-1993)- ''Le Phenix et Sinbad''- oil on panel, 1967, signed Beni Kosh '67- lower right, estate stamped and numbered 525 verso, very good condition. 23 x 16''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Mar. 22, 2014
Charles E. Harris oil
Est: $200 - $400
Charles Elmer Harris (American 1917-1993)- ''Quelque Chase''- oil on masonite, 1967, signed 'Quelque Chase/ Beni/ Kosh 67- lower right, estate stamped and numbered 273 verso, very good condition. 16 x24
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Oct. 03, 2013
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Three factory scenes.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Three factory scenes. Composition #492 * Composition #493 (The National) * Composition #494. Each oil on canvas board, circa 1955-57. Each 610x457 mm; 24x18 inches. Each numbered in ink, and with the artist's ink stamp "Ben Kosh Collection" on the verso. Provenance: Rachel Davis Fine Arts, Shaker Heights, OH; John Axelrod, Boston (2000); the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2011).
Swann Auction Galleries
Oct. 03, 2013
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Group of 4 surreal paintings.
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Group of 4 surreal paintings. Crosstown, 1955. Signed, titled and dated in oil, lower right * Composition #440 * Composition #576 * Composition #598. Each oil on canvas board, circa 1955. Each 457x610 mm; 18x24 inches. Each numbered in ink, and with the artist's ink stamp "Ben Kosh Collection" on the verso. Provenance: Rachel Davis Fine Arts, Shaker Heights, OH; John Axelrod, Boston (2000); the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2011).
Swann Auction Galleries
May. 30, 2013
Charles Elmer Harris (Beni E. Kosh) (African American, 1917-1993);
Est: $600 - $800
Charles Elmer Harris (Beni E. Kosh) (African American, 1917-1993); Adam and Eve. Oil on board. Artist stamp verso. Born in 1917, Charles Elmer Harris changed his name to Beni E. Kosh in the 1960's. His name translates to "Son of Ethiopia." He was based in Cleveland and studied under Paul Travis at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Kosh was also affiliated with both the Sho-Nuff Art Group and the Karamu House. Kosh rarely exhibited or sold his work while he was alive, indeed his work was "rediscovered" days after his death when hundreds of paintings were rescued, catalogued, and sold. He has been included in shows at Cleveland State University, Butler Institute of American Art, and the Riffe Gallery. He was also featured in the catalog, Yet We Still Rise, African-American Art in Cleveland, 1920-1970. 23.5" x 15.75"
Ripley Auctions
Feb. 14, 2013
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI E. KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Three Surreal paintings.
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI E. KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Three Surreal paintings. Studio "B," oil on canvas board, circa 1957. 508x406 mm; 20x16 inches. Signed and titled in oil, lower right * Composition # 28, oil on Bainbridge board, 1952. 305x203 mm; 12x8 inches. Signed and dated in oil, lower right * Composition #402, oil on Bainbridge board, 1957. 514x381 mm; 20 1/4x15 inches. Signed and dated in oil, lower right. Each numbered in ink, with the artist's ink stamp "Beni Kosh Collection" on the verso. Provenance: Rachel Davis Fine Arts, Shaker Heights, OH; John Axelrod, Boston (2000); the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2011).
Swann Auction Galleries
Feb. 14, 2013
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI E. KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Two oil paintings.
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
CHARLES ELMER HARRIS (BENI E. KOSH) (1917 - 1993) Two oil paintings. Untitled (Factory Entrance), oil on canvas, circa 1957. 457x355 mm; 18x14 inches. With the artist's ink stamp "Beni Kosh Collection" on the verso * Untitled (Tennis Players), oil on canvas, 1957. 457x864 mm; 18x34 inches. Signed and dated in oil, lower right. Provenance: Rachel Davis Fine Arts, Shaker Heights, OH; John Axelrod, Boston (2000); the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (2011). Beni Kosh was a Cleveland artist, relatively unknown in his lifetime. He is noted in the catalogue Yet Still We Rise African American Art in Cleveland 1920-1970 and included in shows at Cleveland State University, the Butler Institute of American Art and the Riffe Gallery during 1996-97. Born as Charles Elmer Harris, he changed his name in the 1960s to Beni E. Kosh, which translates to "Son of Ethiopia." He rarely exhibited or sold his work and was affiliated with the African-American artists' "Sho-nuff Art Group" and the Karamu House and studied under Cleveland School artist Paul Travis. His style is very diverse; he experimented with Cubism, portraiture and abstractions. He was only "rediscovered" literally days after his death when hundreds of his paintings were rescued, catalogued and later sold. Biography courtesy of the U.S. State Department's Art in Embassies program.
Swann Auction Galleries
Oct. 27, 2012
Beni Kosh, (African-American; 1917 - 1993), Abstract Composition, Oil on canvas, 19 3/4" x 15 3/4"
Est: $2,000 - $3,000
Beni Kosh (African-American; 1917 - 1993) Abstract Composition Oil on canvas Signed and dated. Born in 1917, Charles Elmer Harris changed his name to Beni E. Kosh in the 1960's. His name translates to "Son of Ethiopia." He was based in Cleveland and studied under Paul Travis at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Kosh was also affiliated with both the Sho-Nuff Art Group and the Karamu House. Kosh rarely exhibited or sold his work while he was alive, indeed his work was "rediscovered" days after his death when hundreds of paintings were rescued, catalogued, and sold. He has been included in shows at Cleveland State University, Butler Institute of American Art, and the Riffe Gallery. He was also featured in the catalog, Yet We Still Rise, African-American Art in Cleveland, 1920-1970. 19 3/4" x 15 3/4"
Ripley Auctions
Mar. 19, 2011
Kosh, Beni (American 1917-1993) Seated Nude in
Est: -
Kosh, Beni (American 1917-1993) Seated Nude in Window- oil on canvasboard, estate stamped and numbered (More...)
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Mar. 19, 2011
Kosh, Beni (American 1917-1993) Deihans La Mildred
Est: -
Kosh, Beni (American 1917-1993) Deihans La Mildred #2- acrylic on panel, 1968, signed 'Deihans la (More...)
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Nov. 10, 2010
Charles Elmer Harris, called Beni E. Kosh (American, 1917-1993) Cassiopeia Signed "CEHARRIS" in pen l.r., titled in pen l.l., stampe...
Est: $250 - $350
Charles Elmer Harris, called Beni E. Kosh (American, 1917-1993) Cassiopeia Signed "CEHARRIS" in pen l.r., titled in pen l.l., stamped and numbered "Beni Kosh Collection #675" on the reverse. Oil on canvas, 15 3/4 x 11 3/4 in. (40.0 x 29.8 cm), unframed. Condition: Minor surface abrasion.
Skinner
Oct. 23, 2010
Beni Kosh oil
Est: $400 - $700
Beni Kosh (American 1917-1993)- ''Horse Power''- oil on canvasboard, signed C. E. Harris lower right, estate stamped and numbered 502 verso, very good condition. 20 x 16''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts