Like something off of Antiques Roadshow or Cash in the Attic, it was discovered in a charity shop in Wiltshire
The painting, an atmospheric view of Mousehole harbour by British artist George Hammond Steel, was donated to the RSPCA shop on the High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, and sold for thousands of pounds at a local auction after a chance find(Image: RWB Auctions Ltd)
A chance discovery in a charity shop has turned into an auction-room success story after a striking painting of a Cornish scene sold for thousands of pounds.
The painting, an atmospheric view of Mousehole harbour by British artist George Hammond Steel, was donated to an RSPCA shop just doors away from RWB Auctions.
Recognised by shop staff as a quality work, it was brought to auctioneer and valuer Gordon Brockman shortly before Christmas, where its true significance quickly became clear.
Initially given a conservative estimate of £600 to £800, the painting became one of the stand-out lots in RWB Auctions’ Antiques and Interiors sale on January 14.
On the day, determined bidders online and on the telephone competed fiercely, eventually driving the hammer price to £3,900. The painting was bought by a private collector in Nottinghamshire.
The painting, an atmospheric view of Mousehole harbour by British artist George Hammond Steel, was donated to the RSPCA shop on the High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, and sold for thousands of pounds at a local auction after a chance find(Image: RWB Auctions Ltd)
Kelly Ohrland, senior auction administrator at RWB Auctions, said: “This is exactly the kind of result we love to see.
“We work closely with charity shops and local organisations to help them realise the full value of special items, and this painting is a perfect example of what can happen when the right piece meets the right audience. The level of competition on the day was thrilling.”
Rendered in oils, the painting which was handed to the shop on the High Street in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, depicts Mousehole at low tide, with boats resting in the harbour and distinctive cottages rising above the quay.
Signed by Hammond Steel in the lower right-hand corner, the work captures the brooding atmosphere and texture for which the artist is well known. Many of the buildings shown remain instantly recognisable to visitors to the Cornish fishing village today.
Mr Brockman, who first assessed the painting, said: “From the moment I saw it, it was clear this was a strong and confident work by George Hammond Steel. While estimates must always be realistic, it is immensely satisfying to see collectors respond so positively and to know the proceeds are going to such a good cause.”
The painting, an atmospheric view of Mousehole harbour by British artist George Hammond Steel, was donated to the RSPCA shop on the High Street, Royal Wootton Bassett, and sold for thousands of pounds at a local auction after a chance find(Image: RWB Auctions Ltd)
George Hammond Steel (1900–1960) was a respected British painter and stained-glass designer, celebrated for his impasto views of Cornish towns and Derbyshire landscapes.
He trained at the Sheffield School of Art before studying in Birmingham and London and went on to exhibit at major institutions including the Royal Academy, Leicester Galleries, the Glasgow Institute and the Paris Salon. His work is held in public collections across the UK.
The sale highlights the growing role auction houses can play in maximising returns for charities, particularly when rare or unusual items are donated. RWB Auctions offers no-fee consignment for registered charities and provides free advice to charity shop managers and volunteers seeking valuations across a wide range of categories.
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