Derby Fine Arts & Antique Sale

£50K WRIGHT OF DERBY PICTURE SOLD AT AUCTION

The Fine Art Sale held by Richard Winterton Auctioneers on 31st August included a rare oil painting by Joseph Wright of Derby, (1734-1797). Titled ‘Moonlight’, the view is thought to be of Matlock, Derbyshire and painted in the 1770’s/80’s.

Consigned by a local private client and appearing as Lot 303, the picture had essentially remained undiscovered for about one hundred years, (although the Auction houses’ Fine Arts Consultants had known of its whereabouts for some time). Manuscript labels on the back indicated that it had once belonged to a Mrs Collins of Hillingdon Grove, Uxbridge who had it restored in the 1880’s. Following weeks of research, contemporary records at Derby Museum and Art Gallery show that a painting simply titled ‘Moonlight’ appeared at an exhibition at the Museum in the late nineteenth century, (although it has not been ascertained this is the same painting).

There was much pre-sale interest and the picture was estimated to fetch between £15,000-20,000. The saleroom fell silent on the day as the gavel finally fell totalling just under £50,000 to a room bidder, (against four telephone bidders).

Other highlights in the sale included Lot 381, a William IV mahogany library bookcase from Repton School at £11,000 and Lot 379, a pair of George III satinwood demi-lune card tables at £6,000. Elsewhere in the sale, Lot 206, a Belleek Parian ware figure of Erin sold for £1,600 and Lot 228, a Chinese famille verte dinner service at £2,000.

The next important Silver, Jewellery and Fine Art Sale will be held in January. Entries are now being invited. Please contact Adrian Rathbone or Deborah Rowe on 01543 251081 for further details and consultations at home.

Lot 228 Sold for £2,000	Lot 379 Sold for £6,000		Lot 381 Sold for £11,000

RICHARD WINTERTON FINE ART AUCTIONEERS
DERBY 01332 296369