Two Renaissance plaques in family’s hallway sell for over £100k after 142 years

A pair of exquisite 16th-century maiolica plaques by renowned artist Francesco Xanto Avelli recently fetched an impressive £100,000 at auction after lying unnoticed in a Dorset home for years. The family unearthed these extraordinary pieces while seeking expert advice, discovering they were part of a significant series illustrating the tale of Cyrus the Great. This auction underscores the remarkable rarity and cultural value of these Italian Renaissance treasures.