No Takers for Giant Monkey-Dolphin Mosaic Masterpiece at Auction

A rare and impressive mosaic artwork created by Dame Elisabeth Frink, a well-known sculptor from Suffolk, did not attract any buyers at a recent auction. The piece, titled 'Monkey and The Dolphin,' is about four metres wide and features a monkey riding on the back of a dolphin. It was once the centerpiece of the swimming pool at Woolland House, Frink's country estate in Dorset. The auction house, Sworders, had high hopes for the mosaic, expecting it to sell for between £300,000 and £500,000. However, when the auction took place, no one placed a bid. John Black, the director at Sworders, expressed disappointment but said they remain optimistic that a sale might happen after the auction, as there are still interested parties.

The mosaic is unique because it is based on an ancient fable by Aesop, the famous Greek storyteller. Sworders described the artwork as a significant piece, offering collectors a rare chance to acquire a major and almost unknown work by Frink. Ken Bolan, an antiques expert and collector, purchased the mosaic in 2020, adding it to his Nature Follows Form collection. Bolan first met Frink in 1986 when she visited his antiques shop in Bath, and they became friends. During that period, Frink created the mosaic entirely by herself, measuring 4. 34 meters by 3. 09 meters. Bolan emphasized that the mosaic is completely original, with no parts needing to be rebuilt or restored.

Dame Elisabeth Frink is considered one of Britain's most celebrated sculptors of the 20th century. She was born in Great Thurlow near Haverhill and passed away in 1993 at the age of 62. The mosaic is regarded as the only work of its kind in her collection and is also one of the largest single pieces she ever produced. After Bolan acquired the mosaic, it was carefully removed from the swimming pool, conserved, and mounted on a custom-made aluminum framework to preserve it. Although the mosaic did not sell at the auction, it remains an important and rare piece of art, and there is hope that it will eventually find a new owner. If you have any story suggestions related to Suffolk, the news team encourages you to get in touch.