A British antique dealer who purchased an unassuming watercolor for 150 pounds ($170) at a garage sale in Cambridge has discovered that his modest investment was actually an original work by Salvador Dalí, now valued at approximately 30,000 pounds ($35,000). The remarkable discovery occurred in 2023 when the dealer bought the piece titled "Vecchio Sultano," which has since been authenticated as a genuine Dalí creation from 1966.
The watercolor had been relegated to obscurity in someone's garage for years, its true identity hidden by its understated style that differed dramatically from Dalí's more famous surrealist works. The piece depicts a sultan wearing a turban, rendered in a sober, orientalist style that bore little resemblance to the extravagant surrealistic pieces typically associated with the Spanish master. The lack of a visible signature and its modest appearance contributed to the artwork being overlooked and forgotten.
The antique dealer's purchase was driven purely by intuition and experience rather than any expert authentication or certified provenance. He was drawn to the fineness of the brushwork, the balance of colors, and a familiar strangeness in the composition that caught his trained eye. For 150 pounds sterling, he acquired the work without any guarantee of its authenticity, but with a strong conviction that it deserved closer examination.
Subsequent verification by art experts confirmed the watercolor's remarkable origins. The piece was indeed created by Salvador Dalí in 1966 as part of his "One Thousand and One Nights" project, an ambitious cycle that was ultimately abandoned after approximately 100 pieces were completed. This project was intended to comprise 500 works inspired by oriental tales and mythical narratives, blending Eastern imagery with Dalí's personal interpretation of legendary stories.
The "One Thousand and One Nights" series represents a lesser-known period in Dalí's artistic career. Conceived in the 1960s, the project was meant to explore the mystical imagination and legendary figures from Middle Eastern folklore. However, Dalí mysteriously abandoned the series without explanation after completing only about one-fifth of the intended works. "Vecchio Sultano" now emerges as one of the rare surviving pieces from this interrupted cycle, serving as a precious witness to an overlooked chapter in Dalí's artistic journey.
The authenticated watercolor is scheduled to make its debut at the prestigious art and design auction organized by Cheffins in Cambridge this October. Art experts, impressed by the work's rarity and provenance, estimate it could fetch up to 30,000 pounds sterling (approximately $35,000). This represents a spectacular 200-fold increase from its original purchase price, generating significant excitement among collectors and renewed interest in Dalí's lesser-known works.
This extraordinary discovery serves as a powerful reminder that valuable art doesn't always reveal itself in traditional galleries or museums. The story illustrates how forgotten masterpieces can lie hidden in the most unexpected places, waiting for a discerning eye to recognize their true worth. It also highlights the importance of intuition, attention to detail, and the ability to see beyond surface appearances in the art world.
The rediscovery of "Vecchio Sultano" invites art historians and collectors to reconsider the full scope of Dalí's artistic legacy beyond his iconic surrealist works. Behind this neglected watercolor lies a resurgent artistic memory, brought to light through the keen eye of an experienced dealer who trusted his instincts. The find underscores the ongoing possibility that significant artworks remain hidden in plain sight, waiting for the right moment and the right person to reveal their secrets.
