Experts put art lovers in the picture

AN antiques roadshow of sorts rolled into Bendigo yesterday in a cloud of dust and mothballs.Internationally renowned auction house Sotheby’s valued local treasures as part of a fundraiser for the Friends of the Bendigo Art Gallery.Sotheby’s experts asked eager hoarders about the history of their trinkets, which ranged from pots and vases to sculptures and paintings, before giving them a valuation. About 50 people brought in items to be valued in the first two hours of the fundraiser.Sotheby’s senior researcher and Australian paintings specialist Dr David Hansen said no paintings of great value had passed under his eye during this period, but works from several notable artists including William Strutt, Pro Hart, Sydney Long and Harold Herbert had been presented.“No extraordinary discoveries, unfortunately . . . but we live in hope,” Dr Hansen said.“With a day like this it’s very much about serving the brand as much as looking for things to auction.“We are on the hunt to a certain extent, but as much as anything it’s about meeting the needs of our potential clients.“You can come to Bendigo Art Gallery any time and have people talk to you about paintings, but it’s not very often you can come to the gallery and talk to people about your paintings.”Sotheby’s deputy director and head of decorative arts Jennifer Gibson said she had valued several interesting works, including two potentially by renowned Australian wood carver Robert Prenzel.If Prenzel could be credited as the creator of the carvings, which both featured Australian bushscapes, their value could exceed $5000.The Friends of the Art Gallery had raised about $500 halfway through the event yesterday.