Wardle’s terriers can’t be too clean for the trade
THE received wisdom of the art market tells us that heavily restored paintings attract little demand from the trade at auction. But sometimes a subject is just too commercial for dealers to pass by, such as this Arthur Wardle (1864-1947) canvas, right, of four terrier puppies, Mischief in Quadruplet, which came up for sale at the Nottingham rooms of Mellors & Kirk (15% buyer’s premium) back on April 23.
The signed 13 3/4in x 17 3/4in (35 x 45cm) canvas was part of the estate of the venerable Derby deal…