Bloomberg‘s Scott Reyburn has the rundown on the Spencer family “attic sale” that includes furniture, 19th Century carriages and few important Old Master paintings:
“The family is taking advantage of an opportunity,” said Orlando Rock, director of Christie’s Collections Department. “There’s been a polarization in the market toward masterpieces and if you’re lucky enough to own interesting things they can achieve prices that might not be seen again.”
Rubens’s 1613 to 1614 “A Commander Being Armed for Battle” will be valued at 8 million pounds to 12 million pounds, Christie’s International said in an e-mail today. The painting is among more than 600 lots being sold by the Spencers. […]
“King David” by the 17th-century Italian artist Il Guercino is also for sale, estimated at 5 million pounds to 8 million pounds. The Baroque painting was bought in Rome by the 1st Earl Spencer in 1768, said Christie’s.
Princess Diana’s Family Selling Rubens in $29 Million Clearout (Bloomberg)