An incredible discovery by an 11-year-old boy at a rubbish dump in Wales has led to a potentially lucrative find. Mat Winter stumbled upon a 16th-century German Renaissance engraving while sifting through discarded items. The black-and-white print, named ‘Knight, Death and the Devil,’ was part of a pile of rubbish thrown out by a woman. Mat’s keen eye for antiques prompted him to ask if he could keep the picture, to which the woman agreed. He brought the A4-sized engraving back to his home in Cranbrook, Kent, and stored it in a cupboard for 13 years before having it appraised earlier this year.
The engraving, created by German artist Albrecht Dürer in 1513, is considered one of his most famous works. Dürer, an esteemed painter and printmaker from the Northern Renaissance, was renowned for his exquisite artistry and influential contributions to the art world. Mat, now 24, shared his excitement about the unexpected treasure, stating, “It’s been tucked away in a cupboard at home with all my other antique finds for the last 13 years. Recently, I decided to get it checked out to see if it was as special as it looked. I was amazed to find out it was.”
Valued between £10,000 and £20,000, the engraving is gearing up for auction at Rare Book Auctions in Lichfield, Staffordshire. Director Jim Spencer expressed astonishment at the artwork’s authenticity, noting the exceptional quality and historical significance of the piece. Spencer confirmed the engraving as a genuine Dürer creation by citing a distinctive scratch across the head of the knight’s horse. He described it as “the most important print I’ve ever catalogued and offered for sale.”
The auction for this remarkable find is scheduled for September 18, offering bidders a chance to own a precious piece of art history. The unexpected discovery by young Mat Winter serves as a testament to the hidden treasures that may lie in unexpected places, waiting to be uncovered and appreciated by those with a discerning eye for the extraordinary.