Post by Taxigirl on Nov 25, 2003 10:58:23 GMT
A Rembrandt etching found in a box of junk destined for the bin at a charity shop in Bedfordshire could be worth about £800.
The small image of two beggars was discovered among items at the Emmaus charity shop in Carlton, near Bedford.
Sarah Flynn, a paintings valuer at Cheffins auctioneers in Cambridge, saw the etching at the shop and after some research found it had been made from an original plate cut by Rembrandt.
The Dutch master, who died in 1669, cut the design into copper in 1630 although this etching was thought to have been made after his death.
The artwork will now go under the hammer on 4 December with the proceeds going to the homeless charity.
"This was in their box to be chucked out," said Ms Flynn. "It's worth in the region of £800.
"I took it away for research and found that Rembrandt had created the original copper plate for the etching in 1630.
"Something like this is hopefully going to create a lot of excitement and interest."
The etching measures 8 cm x 7 cm and will be sold at Cheffins.