Excitement over art sale

A RIPPLE of excitement ran through the audience at the antique auction rooms of Watsons in Heathfield this month when several pictures from the estate of a local woman went up for sale.

A RIPPLE of excitement ran through the audience at the antique auction rooms of Watsons in Heathfield this month when several pictures from the estate of a local woman went up for sale.

Enquiries were received from three continents and six different countries when the un-named Mayfield woman's possessions were offered for sale. More than 50 website requests were received for information on pictures, furniture, china and clocks.

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The star lot was a 'genre' picture by JT Peele, dated 1854. The picture, measuring 75cm by 57cm, depicts two children in an interior setting. A spokesman for Watsons' said: 'This delightful painting on canvas, entitled "Pay Attention, Dear Sister", was contested on four telephone lines and bidders in the saleroom. It was eventually knocked down to a lady on the phone from the USA for 14,400.'

Other pictures from the same local source also sold extremely well. A Tiratelli oil on canvas (61cm by 134.5cm) of oxen pulling a cart with figures in a landscape went for 8,200 after fierce continental phone bidding, while an 18th century Italian oil of cherubs and winged angel in a landscape setting sold for 4,400.

Watsons operate two auction rooms with weekly auctions every Tuesday. If you have any treasures which you are interested in selling, phone them on 01435 862132.

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