At first glance, this painting doesn’t immediately shout “Salvador Dalí masterpiece” to the casual observer. So when it appeared at a house clearance auction in Cambridge two years ago, only two bidders showed interest—and it sold for just £150. Now, after being confirmed as Dalí’s 1966 illustration titled Vecchio Sultano (“Old Sultan”), its value has soared to an estimated £20,000–£30,000.
The mixed-media artwork, created with watercolor and felt-tip, depicts a scene from The Arabian Nights. It was part of a larger project in which Dalí planned to produce 500 illustrations of Middle Eastern folktales. However, he abandoned the series after completing just 100, leaving them unpublished.
According to Gabrielle Downie, a fine art specialist at Cheffins auction house (which is selling the piece on 23 October), Dalí was deeply fascinated by Moorish culture and even believed he had Moorish ancestry. The illustrations were commissioned by his patrons, Giuseppe and Mara Albaretto, with Italian publisher Rizzoli intending to release them. But after Dalí walked away, half of the completed works remained with Rizzoli—many damaged or lost—while the other 50 stayed with the Albarettos and were later inherited by their daughter, Christina, who was also Dalí’s goddaughter.
These surviving illustrations were finally published in 2014, sparking renewed interest in the forgotten project—and curiosity about the whereabouts of the unpublished pieces.
Enter John Russell (a pseudonym), a 60-year-old antiques dealer from Cambridge. Two years ago, he stumbled upon Vecchio Sultano at the auction, spotting Dalí’s signature in the corner. Unaware of its significance at the time, he took a chance and bought it for £150.
“The auction wasn’t online, so you show up, look around, and hope to find a hidden gem,” Russell said. “Mostly, I buy things I like. This time, I was taking a gamble—I wasn’t even sure I’d hang it on my wall. You’d really have to love it.”
The painting had reportedly been stored in a London garage. Russell’s excitement grew when he noticed stickers on the back linking it to a Sotheby’s auction in the 1990s. “I did some digging and couldn’t believe what I’d found,” he said.
Despite its description as an original Dalí, the painting drew little attention at the sale. There was no reserve price, and none of Russell’s fellow dealers showed interest. Only one other bidder competed before dropping out at £150.
Months later, Russell tracked down the Sotheby’s catalog entry for the 38cm x 29cm artwork, confirming its Dalí connection. He then approached Cheffins for a valuation. The auction house consulted Nicolas Descharnes, a leading Dalí expert, who authenticated the piece.
While Vecchio Sultano differs stylistically from much of Dalí’s better-known work, its rediscovery adds another chapter to the story of the artist’s unfinished Arabian Nights project—and a windfall for one lucky buyer.The painting was authenticated by an expert who spoke to The Guardian. He explained that the artwork’s style, subject matter, and colors align with other works in the series, as does the paper quality and size. “People usually associate Dalí with surrealist works. While this piece isn’t surrealist, it’s definitely by Dalí,” the expert, Descharnes, noted.
