THE highly collectable Alberto Morrocco (1917-1998) scooped top prize at The Cotswold Auction Company’s specialist Pictures with Antiques and Interiors sale at Bingham Hall in Cirencester on February, 7.

Scottish artist Morrocco is known for his colourful views of Venice, together with figures and interiors, but it was a work much closer to home which took top honours in this sale.

Entitled ‘Benholm’ this study of a coastal village depicted blue painted and red roofed cottages clustering on the shore.

The original gallery label was an added bonus and encouraged bidders up to £3,400.

The salerooms often see keenest bidding for 20th century and contemporary works these days, however the rival for top spot in this auction was a far more traditional portrait of a gentleman, dating from the late 18th or early 19th century in the style of Sir William Beechey.

The handsome gentleman stood with a letter in his hand gazing out at his audience in a benign manner.

He had, until recently, hung at the top of a narrow and rather dark staircase in an old end-terrace cottage in the heart of Cirencester, in Gloucester Street, and was not expected to fetch more than a few hundred pounds, because of the very serious damage inflicted over the centuries.

There were at least five quite significant holes in the canvas, but this did not prevent keen bidding, both on the internet and in the room, resulting in a hammer price of £3,000.

His partner at the Gloucester Street address was a Regency lady, oil on canvas, who managed £400.

Traditional watercolours are also rather less desirable than they were ten or twenty years ago, however a charming work by the collectable Lilian Stannard (1877-1944) entitled ‘Holme Lacy, Hereford’, a garden view with abundant floral borders was another popular work at the auction.

This work was signed and sold just above reserve at £1,250 to a telephone bidder. The condition was excellent, the picture still with its original vibrant colours.

Marine works proved popular, with a 19th century Dutch school in the style of Abraham Hulk, a busy shipping scene, realising £550, while a South African oil on board by Otto Klar (1908-1994), an African bush scene with kudu realised £480.

A pastel by contemporary artist Domingo ‘The Yellow Bouquet’ a study of a semi-nude female, realised £300, while a quirky early 19th century Scottish watercolour ‘An MD Going his Rounds’ came under the hammer at £240.

In the ceramics section Royal Doulton artist Hannah Barlow drew a great deal of attention and a typical pair of sgraffito decorated vases with sheep autour realised top end £700, while a smaller pair of Doulton Lambeth studio stoneware vases made £150.

Elsewhere in the sale an 18th century style brass lantern clock with twin fusee striking movement by Jonathan Holloway, Stroud, realised £300, while a Negretti and Zambra four-draw brass telescope brought £180.

There was also strong interest in a pair of brass painted metal carriage lamps at £160 and an early 19th century mahogany longcase clock by a local Chippenham maker at £280.

• The next auction to be held at the Bingham Hall in Cirencester on Friday, March 7 will be a specialist Toys, Dolls and Models auction with Antiques and Interiors. The auctioneers are currently accepting entries and can be contacted on 01285-642420, 01242-256363 or 01452-5211777 or via their website www.cotswoldauction.co.uk.