ON COLLECTING Recognising the right pieces Sulis Fine Art on recognising the right pieces, and the instinct for quality that runs through an ever-changing collection. Olly Burton Sulis Fine Art, Art Dealers August 25, 2026 | 3 min read One auction provided a particularly memorable reminder not to always trust first appearances, and of how easy it is to be wrong. When bidding at an auction in Surrey years ago, a rather fine early 18th-century maritime scene was offered that appeared to be very large and in the perfect rustic plain oak frame from the same period, likely the original. When it arrived at our studio warehouse alongside the other new acquisitions, we discovered that the imposing picture was, in fact, just 14cm in height. Fortunately, it still had charm, and sold relatively quickly. One auction provided a particularly memorable reminder not to always trust first appearances. Olly Burton, Sulis Fine Art A selection of Sulis Fine Art’s eclectic range of works. Photography by Alexandra Pitchford Knaggs A respect for history and the unexpected At any given time, we hold thousands of pieces, but our smaller curated collections and search filters bring order to the sheer volume of stock. Oils, watercolours, drawings, etchings, engravings and woodcuts are all selected with the same instincts: a respect for history and the unexpected, guided by authenticity and quality. Alongside this is an aim for eclecticism and affordability. Aside from the slightly grand notion of being the custodian of an important or historic work for the future, we would place more importance on the daily pleasure of living with art, whether an addition to a collection or something more unusual and arresting. An oil from the Sulis Fine Art collection evoking the summer harvest. Photography by Alexandra Pitchford Knaggs. Human-made pieces from centuries past have a presence that cannot be rivalled. Olly Burton, Sulis Fine Art Assessing thousands of newly discovered paintings, drawings and prints each month, you become attuned to true quality, whether it’s hidden behind a discoloured varnish, an earlier restoration or simply evident in the hand of an adept artist. And then framing is all important. An antique frame that is perfectly suited to a particular picture can just ‘click’ into place immediately. When a piece leaves us, we hope a sense of discovery, authenticity and quality goes with it. Human-made pieces from centuries past have a presence that cannot be rivalled. An undisputed original brings all this and more to a space, and these qualities do not disappear easily. The Collected Edit LEARN MORE ABOUT SULIS FINE ART Svenskt Tenn Serving Bowl Blue Flower £182 Casa Latina Florencia Napkin Ring Mustard £22 Wondering People Solanki Pendant £1,350 Sulis Fine Art Modernist Mid 20th Century Oil – Still Life with Fish £366 Vaughan Upton Wall Light £2,095 Sulis Fine Art Impressionist School Mid 20th Century Oil £450 Billiani 1911 Veretta 921 Red Chair by Cristina Celestino £760 Amy Kent Helter Skelter by Linwood £845 Hyem Coble Dining Table – Natural Oak Veneer £4,769 Sway Ceramics Poppy III Stoneware Vase £860 Ivo Angel The Biscotti Jar £124 Patrick Ireland The Hassocks Enquire