A rather shabby portrait of an unknown woman sparked a bidding battle at W&H Peacock (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Bedford on May 5.
Catalogued as 17th century Continental School, the unsigned 19 x 13in (47 x 33cm) oil on oak panel depicts the half-length portrait of a Tudor woman, wearing French clothing and holding a lidded container.
The canvas and its 19th century Venetian giltwood frame had suffered from significant damage, with splits and damage to the board, paint losses, crazing and bubbling throughout.