A painting discovered in an attic in Scotland has sold for £15,000 ($23,272) at Lindsay Burns & Co in Perth.

Scottish newspaper the Courier reports the work was initially offered to another auction house, which refused it on the grounds that it was probably worth less than £500 ($775).

The consignor discovered the painting in an attic

The consignor then took it to Lindsay Burns, which saw its potential value.

Nick Burns of Lindsay Burns explained: "It was brought in with some other items to a valuation day and as soon as I saw it I thought there was something about it.

"Straight away I thought there would be interest and my instinct was that in the right type of sale it could do quite well."

While the origins of the painting remain uncertain, the auction house explains that it bears a marked resemblance to the work of the 17th century court painter Philippe Mercier.

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