LOCAL PAINTINGS TO BE SOLD
Housed in one of Slaidburn’s oldest buildings is a treasure trove of documents, photos and information relating to the history of the upper Hodder Valley and its inhabitants
Started in 2005, the Slaidburn Archive has gone from strength to strength, not only as a place for people to deposit local information and photos for safe keeping or to be copied, but also as an essential resource for people to research their families and the surrounding areas.
The archive receives no regular funding and relies entirely on grants and donations. Because of this it has had an extremely generous donation of 11 paintings to sell in aid of funds. They are to be auctioned by Silverwoods of Clitheroe on 12th June in their bi-monthly Fine Art and Antiques Sale.
The paintings include seven local scenes by Pendleton artist Fred Cawthorne, who was painting in the 1920s and 30s. He loved his home village as shown in one of the paintings of Pendleton valued at £130 to £150. To be sold together is a pair of watercolours featuring Slaidburn and Newton bridges, valued at £170 to £200. The Old Hodder Bridge is valued at £100 to £120 and Cromwell’s Bridge with three figures is valued at £120 to £150. An oil painting of Bolton-by-Bowland is valued at £250 to £300. Slightly out of the area is a scene of Newby Bridge in Cumbria, valued at £120 to £150. Fred’s father, Elijah, was his mentor and an accomplished artist, and this is shown in a scene of Pendle from Stonyhurst with the two bridges in the foreground, valued at £200 to £250.
Also included in the sale is a pair of 18th century oil portraits of an unidentified gentleman and lady, unsigned and valued at £400 to £500.
A more modern painting is by acclaimed artist, Michael Jackson. Born in Preston in 1961, his speciality is wildlife and his works have commanded record prices at Sotheby’s, Christie’s and and Bonham’s. He now lives in France, where he paints for a select clientele. His signed gouache Barn Owl dated 1994, is valued at 400 to £500. It is surely a wonderfully rare opportunity to acquire one of this outstanding artist’s early works.
The paintings can be seen on the Slaidburn Archive website and full details of the sale with terms and conditions can be viewed at: www.silverwoods.co.uk
Slaidburn Archive is open on Wednesday and Friday from 11am to 3pm.
Please contact first through the website: www.slaidburnarchive.org or call 01200 446161
