Newbury

A number of high prices for works modelled on or inspired by ancient sculpture have been recorded at different auctions this month.

A posthumous cast of George Frampton’s (1860-1928) best-known sculpture was the subject of strenuous bidding at Dreweatts this week.

The sticky wicket in terms of the market for cricketing pictures was in evidence this summer as Dreweatts (27% buyer’s premium) sold off a large group of works from the collection of the late Mark Loveday.

After cricket fans have been enthralled by the exciting England vs India test series, bidding as well as batting and bowling will come into play at Newbury auction house Dreweatts.

A hammer price of £300,000 sounds like a pretty hefty sum for any print sold in the UK regions. But when it comes to the legendary Katsushika Hokusai’s (1760-1849) ‘Great Wave’, it’s actually a relatively middling amount.

Billed as ‘the last opportunity to own something very personal from the family’s own collection’, a group of drawings, paintings, letters and memorabilia relating to Sir Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) came to auction from one of the artist’s descendants at Dreweatts.

The late US dealer Richard L Feigen (1930-2021) handled works by numerous artists over his long career.

Over recent years, works painted in India by Arthur William Devis (1762-1822) have become a valuable proposition.

The attic contents of two historic private country estates is set to be offered at Dreweatts in Newbury.