Owl Painting Found in Attic Sells for Nearly $1 Million
- December 17, 2012 18:12
When Jane Cordery cleaned her attic to make room for a plumber she was surprised to find an intricate painting of an owl hidden in the eaves.
The U.K. woman contacted Christie's auction house whose experts came back with the title "The White Owl," a known work by pre-Raphaelite artist William James Webbe, and a value of £70,000 ($113,449).
Famed 19th century art critic John Ruskin described the very painting as "a careful study" with excellent brown wings.
Last week, the owl painting soared to £589,250 ($951,050) to the amazement of Cordery and her partner, James Ravenscroft, who says the artwork was a long-forgotten gift from his mother.
