A painting by one of Ireland’s most sought-after artists which was unearthed on the Antiques Roadshow sold at auction tonight for €72,000.
The Bog Road, by renowned Ulster artist Paul Henry, was only rediscovered on the popular BBC programme earlier this year.
The piece, originally estimated to fetch up to €60,000, was sold at the Important Irish art sale at Adam’s Auctioneers in Dublin to an anonymous buyer, believed to be Irish.
Adam’s director David Britton said the work attracted a lot of interest from potential buyers.
“Three telephone lines were booked for this lot, and there were a further five bidders in the room,” he said.
“The gavel eventually came down at €72,000 to someone in the room and we believe the work will be staying in Ireland.”
The piece was bought directly from the artist in 1938 by Wilfred Toone, one of the founders of the well-known Dublin school Castle Park in Dalkey.
He later passed it on to his grandson, David, and it remained in the family collection for 80 years.
The owner recently asked his wife to have it valued at the Antiques Roadshow in Bath because he was too ill to attend himself, where expert valuer Rupert Maas placed a price tag of €40,000 on the work.
Amazed at its value, he requested it be sold at Adam’s to provide for the future of his family, who live in England.
Sadly the vendor died just before the programme was aired on TV.
Mr Britton said the piece was the second Paul Henry Roadshow find handled by the salesroom.