Probate valuation uncovers £130,000 painting

A routine probate valuation uncovered a valuable painting at a home in Oxford, which has been sold at auction for £130,000.

The scene by wartime artist CRW Nevinson dates from 1913 and its creator later found fame with renditions of life in the trenches, but the family had no idea of its worth until a probate list was drawn up earlier this year.

Initially valued at £25,000 to £35,000, a bidding war drove up the price of the oil on canvas, which was sold last week by auctioneers Mallams.

Art historian Philip Smith describes the piece as first-rate with the potential for museum display due to its academic importance, the Oxford Mail reports.

Probate valuations have the potential to throw up such finds as property is examined for the purposes of making a will and Mr Smith reveals: "The family were [at the auction] and were delighted by the result. The seller was very pleased indeed."