ART DOWN THE AGES

THE AUCTION HOUSE: Chef ns, Cambridge THE LOT: Elizabethan portrait sold on 8th March THE PRICE: £54,000 (est £15,000-£20,000)

The megastar lot at Che! ns’ Spring Fine Art sale was a newly authenticated canine portrait by the Italian Old Master artist, il Guercino, which made £"#$,$$$. But a wonderful Elizabethan portrait of a lady holding a small dog didn’t do too badly either. Sarah Flynn, Head of Paintings at Che! ns says, ‘ We believe that the si%er could have been one of the queen’s maids of honour, judging by her dress. The picture appeared to be a marriage portrait as she has her small dog beside her, which is a symbol of &delity, and in her le' ear hangs an earring depicting Cupid aiming his arrow at a ( aming heart.’