Banksy's Silent Majority, an early work painted on the side of a trailer, has sold for $455,431 at Digard Auction in Paris.

The lot led a sale of graffiti and street art on June 1.

Silent Majority is one of very few examples of Banksy's free hand work

The consignor, a traveller active in the UK free party and festival scene, explained in the run-up to the sale: "Silent Majority was painted in 1998 at Glastonbury Festival as a Graffiti show outside the Dance Tent, done over three days.

"Banksy asked us if he could use the side of the lorry as a large blank canvas….

"The significance of Silent Majority is that it depicts this era and was painted whilst the free party movement was in its prime…Silent Majority depicts the last rave and hiphop scene of the time."

The lot further cements Banksy's status as the world's most valuable street artist.

Expert Mary McCarthy commented: "We've seen some incredible works by Banksy on the market in the last few years.

"However, I think in terms of provenance and uniqueness, this one tops them all. For me what is quite special about this piece is it's one of the few free hand pieces on the market. This one really is a rare piece."

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