Two collectors’ paintings by former husband and wife artists fetch £3,680

Two collectors’ paintings by former husband and wife artists Jean and John Bratby were sold to locally-based private buyers at High Road Auctions last night, fetching a combined total of £3,680.

The two signed oil paintings were among the 431 lots on sale during Tuesday’s antiques, homes and interiors auction held at West London’s newest auction house, located at the heart of Chiswick.

The 48”x36” oil on canvas by London-born John Bratby, who became one the main exponents of the ‘Kitchen Sink’ school of artists, depicted a “Venice canal scene with gondolas unloading fruit and vegetables” and was signed twice by Bratby. It went under the hammer for £3,300.

The still life painting of flowers in a vase by his former wife Jean (née Cooke), also a Londoner and renowned for her still life and portrait works, attracted a good deal of interest during the auction and eventually sold for £380, nearly four times the estimated price.

Another highlight from the sale was a stunning, natural yellow 2.27 carat diamond of VS1 clarity set in 18 carat white gold with trillion cut diamonds on the shoulders, which sold to a private buyer for £11,000 - a fraction of the price that it would have cost at retail. The diamond is just one of the many pieces of jewellery sold since High Road Auctions opened its doors for business at the beginning of February and the Chiswick venue is fast becoming recognised as a destination to find great value, excellent quality antique and vintage jewellery.

Auctioneer Andrew Polnik told ChiswickW4.com: “I’m delighted that these stunning lots proved popular last night. The paintings took pride of place in our showroom during viewing last week and it’s great to see them go to good home. The ring caused plenty of excitement when it arrived too and I’m happy to say that it sold to a Chiswick-based buyer, so I’ll still be able to get a glimpse of it every now and then.”

April 1, 2011