A PAIR of Old Master paintings are estimated to sell for between £8,000 and £10,000 in the Charterhouse two-day auction in Sherborne on October 6 and 7.

“The paintings have been in the same titled family for many years and are quite an exciting discovery.” said Charterhouse's Richard Bromell.

“Dating to the late 1600s, they are fairly typical of the art which was proudly displayed in country houses but which is rarely seen today.”

The pair of pictures were painted by Adriean van Diest. Born in The Hague in 1655, he travelled to London aged just 17 where he was first employed by the Earl of Bath to paint views and ruins of the West Country.

The paintings at Charterhouse depict classical rural scenes. Measuring 61cm x 72cm, they are set in period carved giltwood frames and are estimated as a pair at £8,000-10,000.

Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse can be contacted for valuations at The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne, phone 01935 812277 or e-mail info@charterhouse-auction.com where they are taking further entries for this two day October auction with sales of pictures, prints, books and sporting items and for their specialist classic cars and classic motorcycles also in October.