London – A previously unrecorded portrait by Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) led Bonhams Old Master Paintings sale today (8 December) at New Bond Street, selling for £187,750. The painting has been in family ownership since it was commissioned directly from the artist by John Allnutt, a wealthy wine merchant, who was a friend of the painter. It had an estimate of £150,000-250,000.

Andrew McKenzie, Bonhams Director of Old Master Paintings, commented: "It is no wonder that Lawrence's charming portrait of Jane Allnutt performed so well. Such thrilling discoveries are rare indeed, and the excellent provenance of the work no doubt contributed to its success. Lawrence's particular talent for painting children's portraits is seen in full bloom with this playful, tender depiction of Jane alongside her favourite spaniel, and we have been thrilled to bring this unrecorded painting to a worldwide audience."

Another highlight of the sale was a panel, The Madonna and Child, by Antonio Vivarini (active 1440-1476/84). Painted late in Vivarini's career, this beautiful work once belonged to the Munich art historian Erwin Rosenthal, before being looted by the Nazis during the Second World War. A receipt in the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg (ERR) inventory informs us that the painting was taken to Buxheim for restoration on 3 February 1944, and it is traditionally thought to have been stored by the Nazis in the Altaussee salt mine. It was subsequently returned to the Rosenthal family. The work sold £100,250 having been estimated at £80,000-100,000.

Other highlights of the sale included:

• Andrea Locatelli (1693-circa 1741), An extensive landscape with figures resting amongst ruins. The artist's works were sought after by an international clientele, including King Phillip V of Spain and the prominent Colonna family, who owned 80 of his paintings. This was one of the Locatelli's most significant compositions. Sold for £56,500 against an estimate of £20,000-30,000.
• J.M.W.Turner R.A. (1775-1851), A mill in north Wales. This charming watercolour by Turner was painted by the master on a two-month visit to north Wales in the summer of 1798. Sold for £50,250 against an estimate of £20,000-30,000.
• Jean-Baptiste De Champaigne (1631-1681), The Madonna and Child with angels. Understood to be a study made in preparation for the commission for the Saint-Merry in Paris, the work sold for £47,750 against its estimate of £15,000-20,000.

8 December