Terance James Bond's Bird Art Soars to £21K at Auction!

Terance James Bond was a well-known wildlife artist from Suffolk, England, celebrated for his lifelike and detailed paintings of birds. Bond was a self-taught painter who grew up on a farm near Sudbury and later lived in Little Paddock, Wickerstreet Green, Kersey, near Hadleigh. His garden was a haven for wildlife and provided much of the inspiration for his art. Bond passed away in 2023 at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful wildlife paintings that are admired by collectors and art lovers.

A private collection of Bond's paintings, owned by Mr and Mrs Robert Graves from Bedfordshire, was recently sold at auction by Cheffins in Cambridge. The Graves family had built up their collection over 40 years after meeting Bond at a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds charity event in the 1980s. As they prepared to downsize their home, they decided to auction their treasured collection. The auction was held on Wednesday and attracted art collectors from Suffolk and across the country.

The auction was a resounding success, with every painting selling for much more than expected. One of the highlights was a painting of a bald eagle in a snowy landscape, which sold for £2,800, far above its estimated value of £500 to £1,000. The eagle was depicted with a yellow beak, white head, and mostly brown feathers, with some white near its tail. Another standout piece was a study of a great grey owl sitting in a leafless tree during autumn, which fetched £2,600. The owl had a large head, small eyes, and light brown feathers with darker and lighter spots. A picture of a robin also sold for £1,100. In total, the collection brought in £21,190. Patricia Cross, an associate at Cheffins, said that three paintings broke the artist's record at auction and that the strong prices reflected Bond's talent and popularity among collectors. Bond's work continues to inspire and attract art lovers, and his paintings will remain cherished pieces in many homes.