A WORK of art dating back hundreds of years – and valued at a staggering £2.5 million to £3.5 million – is set to be auctioned to raise money to provide accommodation for people in need.
St Johns’ Almshouse, in Sherborne, is offering its three-panelled altarpiece – known as a triptych – for sale at Sotheby’s in December.
The piece was removed from the Almshouse chapel for safekeeping when building refurbishment work began earlier in the year – and has now been appraised by medieval Flemish art experts.
Chair of the Almshouse Trustees, Richard Hunt, said: “For nearly 600 years, our mission has been to provide accommodation for local people in need and now, with the sale of this artwork, we have an important opportunity to protect the work that the charity can do for generations to come.
“Following many months of research by art experts in London, the quality and importance of our altarpiece has now been established and it is thought that the painting could raise between £2.5 and £3.5 million at auction.
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“Given the potential costs of insuring work of such quality, along with the need for adequate security, and a climate-controlled environment, the Trustees have – after much discussion – unanimously decided to offer the painting for sale.
“It is cost-prohibitive for us to keep it onsite and publicly displayed going forward.
“The Almshouse has been the privileged custodian of this artwork for a long time, but in light of its newly-revealed importance and value, we feel we must secure its preservation in an environment where it will be better conserved, and to use the funds to do what the Almshouse is here for – providing accommodation for local people in need in the heart of Sherborne.”
St John’s Almshouse, in Sherborne
The painting will be included in Sotheby’s Sale of Old Master and 19th Century Paintings in London on December 3.
Richard added: “We have listened to the community around us who want the charity and the Almhouse to continue with its essential work in Sherborne.
“Proceeds from the sale of the triptych will fund the re-modelling of the inside of the Almshouse building to create six new homes, enabling independent living for members of our community facing hardship. There are also significant on-going maintenance costs associated with keeping our Grade I listed building.”
This is a brilliant move… win, win. However, it would be nice to have the Triptych reinvented, by taking good quality photographs, and mounting them in a similar 3 panelled triptych frame, and placed in the original place on the Chapel altar, in the Almshouse, with a card of explanation nearby.
There is a replica at the almshouse already which will be on show in the chapel. It is not as bright or stunning as the original but keeping the original is too costly