Graeme Smith

Framing Graeme Smith

Something to think about!In 1989 a portrait of Anne the Countess of Portland was auctioned. It was at dispersal of the contents of Thoresby Hall in Nottinghamshire (UK). The stately home was to be converted to a five star hotel. Presumably it has been. The portrait was expected to bring from $9,600 to $12,800. The hammer price was actually quite a bit more, about $24,640!Now that's a good story isn't it?After the purchase the new owner removed the painting from the frame. The frame is quite large being about 2m x 11/2m. The frame was sent on to another auction by itself. Maybe the buyer recognized the value of the frame?In the second auction catalogue it was described like this: "George 2 Kentian carved and gilded architectural tabernacle frame, with eared corners, the architrave carved with an egg-and-dart design and embellished with Vitruvian scroll surrounded by an opened scallopshell finial."Someone certainly knew what it was to come up with that description!Guess what?When sold on 5th Dec 1989 the frame brought approximately $52,800!Over double the price paid for the frame AND painting six months earlier. Almost makes you want to give up painting doesn't it?