Bird paintings by Archibald Thorburn were star performers at London sale of British and European art

                                                                    

The Hoopoes

AN original painting of two Hoopoes by Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935)was a star lot at an auction held this week by Bonhams at their Knightsbridge saleroom.

A buyer was willing to pay £12,800 to secure the handsome study.

The high amount  shows the strong current market for work by the Scottish artist.

Later in the sale, his painting of a Merlin achieved £7,040.

Meanwhile, Thorburn's studies of a Spoonbill and a Herring Gull fetched £3,584 and £4,096 respectively.                                                

The Merlin