English School, 18th Century (Follower of Edward Collier) Trompe l'oeil still life of a letter rack holding a newspaper, letters, a letter opener, wax, a quill, a comb and other objects. photo Sotheby's

oil on canvas, 28 by 23 in.; 71.1 by 58.4 cm. Est. 20,000—30,000 USD Lot Sold 53,125 USD

PROVENANCE: Berry-Hill Galleries, New York, by 1959.

Property of the James S. Copley Library.

Attributed to Bernardo Lorente Germán (Séville 1680 - 1759), Trompe L'oeil still life with newspapers, sheet music, oil paintings and other objects resting on a wood shelf.

oil on canvas, 25 3/4 by 20 1/2 in.; 65.3 by 52 cm. Est. 8,000—12,000 USD Lot Sold 10,625 USD

PROVENANCE: With Berry-Hill Galleries, New York, by 1959.

Property of the James S. Copley Library.

LITERATURE AND REFERENCES: A.E. Pérez Sánchez, La Nature Morte Espagnole du XVIIe siècle à Goya, Fribourg 1987, pp. 171 and 174, reproduced (as Anonymous Sevillian, circa 1725);
A. Sánchez López, La Pintura de Bodegones Y Floreros en España en el Siglo XVIII, 2008, p. 632, no. 5 , reproduced fig. 71 (as close to Lorente or his follower Juanfranco Morales).

Sotheby's. Old Master Paintings. 03 Jun 10. New York www.sothebys.com