The triptych has sold at auction for £5.7m

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Sherborne artwork sells for staggering £5.7 MILLION at auction

Paul JonesDecember 4, 20250 Comment0

A TRIPTYCH formerly housed at the Sherborne Almshouse has sold at auction – for £5.7 MILLION.

The artwork, believed to date from between 1480-90, captures the five miracles of Christ.

It was installed at the Almshouse and removed during remodelling as the site is revamped and repurposed.

Funds from the sale will now secure the St Johns’ Almshouse mission to provide housing for those in need, the charity said.

And the buyer hopes to loan it to Sherborne.

The three-panelled altarpiece was appraised by medieval Flemish art experts at Sotheby’s and valued at £3.5m before it went to sale.

Chair of the Almshouse Trustees, Richard Hunt, said: “The painting was included in Sotheby’s Sale of Old Master and 19th Century Paintings in London yesterday evening (December 3) and we were thrilled to see the importance of this extraordinary painting fully recognised by those who competed for it. This outcome represents a transformative moment for the Almshouse.”

The vibrantly-coloured, perfectly-preserved triptych, newly-established to have been painted in Brussels in 1480-90, captures, in detail, the Five Miracles of Christ.

The painting more than doubled its pre-sale estimate of £2.5m-3.5m, selling for £5.7m.

“The winning bidder, who wishes to remain anonymous, is a Christian charitable foundation,” Mr Hunt added.

“They are committed to long-term links with the local community of Sherborne and wish to make the triptych available on a regular basis as a public loan in the town in the future.

“For five centuries our mission has been to provide accommodation for local people in need. The proceeds of this sale will enable us not only to safeguard that mission for generations to come, but also to act on it immediately, creating new homes and supporting independent living for those who are facing hardship.

“Recent research on the painting has cemented its art historical importance – something that will be of value to generations of art lovers and scholars for many years to come.

“Beyond that, though, its legacy will also now live on in the lives it helps to positively change locally here in Sherborne.”