A previously unpublished John Constable sketch drew prolonged bidding at south London saleroom Roseberys.
Bidding for the oil on board, which had the descriptive title View towards the back of a terrace of houses with elder tree, rose in £5000 increments from the low estimate of £20,000 in the March 21 auction.
It was eventually knocked down by auctioneer Bill Forrest to a room bidder at £305,000 (plus 23% buyer’s premium), who saw off strong interest from two separate parties on the phone.