A storage auction in New Zealand recently uncovered a rare musical instrument worth thousands of dollars hidden amongst a pile of otherwise worthless junk.
The instrument in question is a 36-string lute made in 1926. Lutes are relatively obscure instruments resembling mandolins, and they have not been in favor since ancient times.
This one, however, was made by English-dwelling Frenchman Arnold Dolmetsch, one of the best and most famous lute-makers in history.
This musician-turned-instrument-maker kept his workshop in Surrey, England. He was a key figure in the 20th Century revival of Early Music, re-creating the same songs and musical styles of ancient people.
His hand-made instruments are high-quality, rare and collectible. The lute in question was originally sold to Diana Poulton, a musician and personal friend of Dolmetsch.
How the item came to be stored in New Zealand is a mystery. Once it fell into the hands of the Central Markets auction house in Lower Hutt, however, offers started coming in from around the world from collectors wanting to get their hands on the lute.
Ultimately, the lute sold for $3,100 to the London Museum, where it will accompany a number of other classical instruments.
Storage auctions are relatively rare in New Zealand, and there is little footing for professional auction hunters in the area. Unlike in the United States, where units are sold whole after default, abandoned storage lockers in New Zealand are emptied and sent to auction houses where they can be sold one item at a time.
New Zealand storage facilities are also more likely to work with tenants to recover lost rent or make payment programs, so defaulted units are less common.
Considering the country’s small size and neighborly culture, it’s hardly surprising that cut-throat bidding and thriving resale businesses are fairly rare. This makes high-profile auctions like this lute sale very rare on the island.
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