Western Morning News (Saturday)
Top price for petite Parisian scenes
Penzance auctioneer David Lay’s recent Fine Art sale was a very large and varied one, which was hugely popular with local and worldwide internet bidders.
On the day, the top prices went to two of the smallest pictures in the auction, a pair of oils by Edouard Cortes.
At just 15x21cm, these tiny works depicting Parisian nighttime street scenes, generated some very competitive bidding.
His work is highly collectable, and this was reflected in their £4,000-£6,000 estimate. However, on the day, the bidding rose tremendously and the hammer fell at £8,000 for one of the works and £8,200 for the second.
A fantastic result for the vendor who, it is understood, bought them from a charity shop.
Another more unexpected result came from a beautiful charcoal on paper drawing of a young Arab man by Arthur Comfort (1864-1934).
Although an artist more known for his etchings, who doesn’t have a strong track record at auction, the drawing was particularly fine and bidders scrambled to gain ownership. The low estimate was soon exceeded and it eventually sold to a top London dealer for £3,400.
Lay’s are now inviting entries for their next Fine Art Sale. Their next Antiques Auction is December 6 and 7.
David Lay, Penzance; tel: 01736 361414 davidlay.co.uk