Late 18th century portrait bust of a gentleman by a sculptor from the circle of Joseph Nollekens – £9200 at David Lay.
While the likeness is not perfect, the marble bust was previously in the collection of Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850). In 1900 it had been sold as part of the Peel Heirlooms auction held at Drayton Manor, Tamworth, by local auction house Robinson, Fisher and Hardy.
It came for sale 122 years later at David Lay (18% buyer’s premium) in Penzance on May 12 together with its raised two-tone marble plinth.
Under UV light some small areas of restoration are visible to the extremities, but it was attractively estimated at £3000-5000. The hammer price was £9200.
