Bidding bon voyage to Beryl
A unique and exceptionally rare Beryl Cook oil painting has sold at Plymouth Auction Rooms and now sets sail for Canada. The original piece of art sold for a staggering £19,200 to an overseas collector, who narrowly outbid a local Plymouth auction-goer.
The painting – titled 'Kissing Time' – is in the much-loved local artist’s distinctively vibrant and fun style. As a Plymouth resident for much of her life and until her death, the subjects of Beryl Cook’s art were mostly the colourful, flamboyant characters that she found in the city.
Beryl Cook is a firm favourite with collectors across the world and the painting had formed part of a major foreign private collection for many years. When it came up for sale recently, auctioneers in her hometown were appointed. The team at Plymouth Auction Rooms knew her work well, often selling her silkscreen prints and having handled the auction of Beryl’s own collection of marine art.
Paul Keen of Plymouth Auction Rooms said: “It was an honour to sell such a fantastic original painting - they come onto the market so rarely that it’s a real coup when they do. There was such a buzz in the auction room on the night and lots of interest from bidders in the room as well as online. It was fantastic piece and I’m not surprised it achieved our estimate and sold for the price it did.”
The painting was the star of the show at the auction last week but by no means the only attraction during a lively evening, which made close to £100,000 in sales across artwork, fine jewellery, watches and antiques.
“The South West is a treasure trove of interesting antiques and collectables. At the sale we had a wonderful collection of antique jewellery that had been in the same family for generations. It attracted a great deal of interest and sold for an excellent price," commented Paul.
Highlights of the sale included an antique opal and diamond salamander brooch, which attracted fierce competition from Devon and London bidders and was sold for £2,800. A large single stone diamond ring went to a lucky bidder for £5,500. A Rolex Submariner stainless steel wrist watch sold for £3,900 to a German buyer. And an ornate Chinese cabinet, the first lot of the night, sold for £1,000 to a telephone bidder in the Midlands.
Paul added: “We are a local salesroom but get London prices for our clients and attract items – especially Westcountry artwork by Robert Lenkiewicz and Fred Yates – that would the envy of any auction house. We urge those who haven’t experienced the thrill of an auction to join us later this month for our Spring Collectors Auction – there really isn’t anything like the buzz of an energetic sale or the delight of getting a good deal. ”
