'Rembrandt' portrait sells for 2.58 million pounds: reports

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

LONDON (AFP) — A painting has sold for 1,700 times its maximum reserve price as the winning bidder believed it to be a self-portrait by 17th century Dutch artist Rembrandt, British media reported on Saturday.

The portrait, described by auctioneers as the work of an unknown follower of Rembrandt and with a reserve of up to 1,500 pounds (2,138 euros, 3,077 dollars), in fact sold for 2.58 million pounds, including fees and taxes.

"On the day of the auction both the winner and under bidder seemed convinced it was (a) genuine" Rembrandt self-portrait", auctioneer Philip Allwood was quoted as saying by BBC online.

"The buyer who wishes to remain anonymous seemed very relaxed spending that sort of money," he added.

Allwood, from England-based auctioneers...