The couple, in their 60s, unknowingly discovered two pieces by 19th-century artist Louis Wain several years ago while walking their dog after they were abandoned in a local neighbourhood skip.
Auction experts identified the pieces as original works by Wain, who is one of the most recognisable artists of late Victorian and Edwardian Britain, famed for his whimsical and anthropomorphic cat paintings.
The paintings sold on Thursday (21/5) at Rogers Jones Auctioneers & Co in Cardiff, for £6,600 and £9,400 respectively – smashing their original estimates of £5,000 and £6,000.
‘Psychedelic Cats’ by Louis Wain was found by a couple in a skip (Image: Rogers Jones Auctioneers & Co / SWNS)
The couple from Pembrokeshire, who have asked to remain anonymous, said: “We always joked they might be worth something one day, but never truly believed it.
“When we initially saw them in the tip, they grabbed our attention as we thought it could be a lovely gift for our daughter-in-law, who loves cats.
“After spending around a year in her home, she eventually gifted them back to us, and we had them hanging on our walls for several years before taking them to Rogers Jones Auctioneers.”
One of the paintings is a rare double-sided work featuring Wain’s distinctive feline drawings on the front, titled Psychedelic Cats, while the reverse contains a separate painting titled Deer in an Idyllic Landscape.
The work was valued at around £6,000 and sold for £9,400.
“Blue Cat Among the Flowers” by Louis Wain was later sold for a share of £16,000 after smashing the original estimate of £5,000 (Image: Rogers Jones Auctioneers & Co / SWNS)
The second painting, titled Blue Cat Among the Flowers, was expected to fetch approximately £5,000 at auction and sold for £6,600.
The couple added: “One day, we decided to research Louis Wain and were gobsmacked to see how famous he was – even a film has been made about him.
“We took them to our local auction house to find out more.”
A biographical film about Wain’s life, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy, was released in 2021 and follows the artist’s rise to fame and his fascination with cats.
Although Wain struggled financially for much of his life, he is now regarded as one of Britain’s most influential artists, widely credited with helping transform public attitudes towards cats.
Charles Hampshire, auctioneer, valuer and partner at Rogers Jones, said: “It’s always wonderful to hear stories of people uncovering extraordinary treasures in their homes.
“It really shows the importance of checking attics, lofts and old belongings, as you never know what hidden gems might be waiting to be discovered.
“We’re used to uncovering remarkable finds. Just last month, we sold a rare Victorian Una and the Lion coin for more than £100,000 after it was discovered amongst a coin collection during a house clearance.
“For home-grown art, our Welsh Sale in July will feature art from all across Wales, we’re always keen to see paintings and antiques that owners suspect may have value.”