A Sacred Sale: Rare 500-Year-Old Altarpiece Sells to Fund a Modern Mission of Mercy

In a remarkable story where sacred art meets social good, a small church almshouse in Dorset is set to auction a rare Flemish altarpiece, discovered to be worth millions, to fund its centuries-old mission of providing housing for those in need. The trustees of the Almshouse of Saint John the Evangelist and John the Baptist in Sherborne made the unanimous decision to sell the 15th-century triptych after experts at Sotheby’s, who were initially asked to safeguard it during building work, identified its true origin and immense value. Crafted from oak in Brussels around the year 1500, the exquisitely preserved 8ft-wide artwork depicts five miracles of Christ and is a stunningly rare survival from the late Gothic period. It is expected to fetch between £2.5m and £3.5m at auction this December.

For the trustees, the sale is a profound affirmation of their charitable purpose, not a departure from it. Richard Hunt, Chair of the Almshouse Trustees, explained that the astronomical costs of insuring and properly conserving the masterpiece would be prohibitive, making its sale a practical necessity to secure the charity’s future. “For nearly 600 years, our mission has been to provide accommodation for local people in need,” Hunt stated, adding that the proceeds will be directly channeled into remodeling the Grade I listed building to create six new homes for independent living and fund its ongoing maintenance. In this act of stewardship, a priceless artifact that has glorified God for half a millennium will now ensure that the community of Sherborne continues to find shelter and grace for generations to come.