Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Victorian Owl Screeches to Nearly $1m

December 18, 2012 by Marion Maneker

Colin Gleadell has been bird-spotting at Christie’s in London:

Even more remarkable was an immaculately detailed 1856 painting of a white owl perched on a rafter with its prey (right), by the little-known Pre-Raphaelite William Webbe.

Found in an attic by its owners, descendants of the anti-Darwinian natural scientist Richard Owen, the painting carried a £50,000 estimate, which would have established a record for Webbe. However, its quality and rarity was so widely admired by connoisseurs that bidding went sky high before the work fell to the London and New York art advisers Simon Dickinson Ltd for £589,250.

Art Market News: Auction Sales Fall 10% (Telegraph)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Imp/Mod Tale of the TapeImp/Mod Tale of the Tape
  • A Warehouse Grows in BrooklynA Warehouse Grows in Brooklyn
  • Isreal Museum Moves ForwardIsreal Museum Moves Forward
  • Bringing Archipenko Back at Sotheby’s & Eykyn MacleanBringing Archipenko Back at Sotheby’s & Eykyn Maclean
  • Phillips de Pury's Sea ChangePhillips de Pury's Sea Change
  • Heritage Sells MitchellHeritage Sells Mitchell

Filed Under: Auction Results

About Marion Maneker

LiveArt

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor
 

Loading Comments...