BOSTON, MASS. — Grogan & Company had a good day. A still life by Antonio De Pereda (Spanish, 1611–1678) attained $817,400 at its October 23 auction. Grogan had cataloged the painting very conservatively as “manner of Antonio De Pereda” and estimated it accordingly, at $10,000.

When asked during preview if he expected any surprises, Michael Grogan pointed to the still life and said, “There’s been serious interest in the still life. Depending on what the experts think, it might go well over $100,000 or it might go for less than $10,000.”

The buyer, who was in the room but preferred to remain anonymous, said that he believed the painting was by the hand of De Pereda. He left immediately after making his purchase. The painting was the highest priced item Grogan & Company has sold.

Speaking of the painting after the sale, Michael Grogan said, “We did our job. We got the painting in front of the right people and we got the buyers through the door. There were 12 phone bidders.”

The sale grossed more than $2,104,500.

A full report on the auction will appear in an upcoming edition.