But what is a “sleeper”?

In the auction world it means something very rare that the auction house has not noticed. It is always a delight to find one, then you wonder if any of your friends noticed! Take a careful look at this dreadful photo from an obscure small auction house in rural southern France.

Immediately I knew this maker, so distinct is the tongue and thumb projection, indeed it can be only one maker. Now take a look at the photo below of a frog by the same maker but from a reference book.

There you have it! Any guesses?

Ok, I’ll put you out of your misery, it is none other than Jacob Eury, circa 1820. A mythical and extraordinary maker of the highest calibre. It is in restoration and shall be available in mid November. The great news is that it has slight damage so the price shall be manageable. Keep watching the website as a further twelve bows are going to be announced in the run in to Christmas in an effort to cheer us all up in these tough times.