As Siobhan Tyrrell, head valuer at Dawsons Auctioneers’ London office, combed through the rooms of a north London bungalow, she found herself coming up dry. She simply didn’t see anything of much value.
But that changed when she made her way into the bedroom. Hanging above the bed was a stunning painting of the Madonna and child. Tyrrell, who has over 25 years of experience in her field, guessed that it dated to around the 16th century.
The owner of the home, a 90-year-old woman, had left Italy when she was young. Upon her father’s death, she inherited the painting, according to a statement from the auction house. It had been in her possession for more than 30 years.
“I was utterly shocked when I saw this early religious painting hanging above her bed,” says Tyrrell in the statement. “It literally glowed with quality!”
