Our Modern British and 20th Century Art auction on November 13 includes previously unseen paintings by Australian artist Tony Underhill (1923-77) and the Suffolk painter Robert Sadler (1909-2001).
Our Modern British and 20th Century Art auction on November 13 includes work from two artists’ studios. The previously unseen paintings by Australian Tony Underhill (1923-77) and the Suffolk painter Robert Sadler (1909-2001) shed light on two contrasting talents from a golden moment in post war British art.
Underhill was one of the Australian artists who came to London after the Second World War. A political radical sacked as a lecturer for supporting student protests, he achieved considerable success exhibiting in major galleries in the West End and his work is in the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Victoria.
However, when he died suddenly 40 years ago, his second wife closed his studio leaving finished and unfinished works and artistic equipment exactly in situ. It has only recently been reopened to reveal an untouched time capsule. A limited selection of works will appear in our November auction.

Anthony Underhill (1923-1977)

Anthony Underhill (1923-1977)
STANDING FIGURES
Est. £600-800
Sadler’s career as an artist also began in the post-war era but after 25 years in service. A pilot in the RAF from 1930 and later a representative on the NATO Joint Chiefs of Staff Intelligence Committee in Washington, DC, he ‘retired’ in 1955, returning to Suffolk to devote the rest of his life to painting.

Robert Sadler (1909-2001)

Robert Sadler (1909-2001)
POLO PLAYERS
Est. TBC
We are delighted to be offering a collection of Roberto Rigon's stylised animal works in our first Design auction of 2026, which takes place on Tuesday 27 January.
24 November 2025
Sworders are delighted to present the David Rapley Collection – a lifelong assemblage of fine silver, gold, and decorative arts.
At a recent valuation day in our Stansted Mountfitchet salerooms, two ceramics were brought in that made our specialists sit up and take interest.
24 November 2025