This remains the case on the current market with more desirable works fetching solid five-figure sums at auction but lesser works selling in the low thousands or even hundreds.
Demonstrating this variance, a small oil on board of unidentified mountain lakes made £520 at Sworders in January this year but it was a different story when a pair of larger and brighter views of north Wales appeared at Charterhouse (22% buyer’s premium) of Sherborne on July 18.
Snowdonian scene
The two canvases of the Snowdonia landscape measured 23¼in x 3ft 1in (59 x 94cm) and were more substantial sun-drenched scenes with cattle by the water and figures on the bank.
Signed and dated 1865, one depicted the mountain of Moel Siabod from the nearby watercrossing at Capel Curig, while the other showed the surrounding landscape outside the village of Bettws-y-Coed.
They came to the Dorset saleroom from a local deceased estate, the previous owner having acquired them over 40 years ago. Their condition was relatively favourable having been cleaned and relined at some point.
Offered together as a single lot and estimated at £12,000-18,000, they drew decent interest and were knocked down at £17,500 to the London trade.
