A 20th century portrait catalogued as ‘Spanish School’ was the unexpected star at Gorringe’s where it soared to £19,000.
Depicting a young woman, the 23 x 19in (58 x 48cm) oil on canvas (shown right) came to the Lewes saleroom from a local vendor who had inherited the work.
It bore an indistinct signature and was inscribed Madrid 1905 – the only clues auctioneer Clifford Lansberry had to go on.