Private collection of Bond wildlife paintings to be auctioned

A private collection of paintings by one of the UK’s most renowned wildlife artists is to be sold at auction.

Terance James Bond, who was from Suffolk, was particularly known for his detailed and lifelike illustrations of birds. He died in 2023 at the age of 79.

The collection, belonging to a family in Bedfordshire, was built up over four decades and will be auctioned by Cheffins auctioneers, based in Cambridge, on 17 September.

Patricia Cross, associate at the auctioneers, said each of Bond’s pieces showcased his precision and love of wildlife.

Bond was born in Suffolk in 1946 and grew up on a farm nearby Sudbury.

He later went on to live at Little Paddock in Wickerstreet Green, Kersey, near Hadleigh.

According to Suffolk Artists, he was a self-taught painter who turned his passion for wildlife into art.

During a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) charity event, Bond met Mr and Mrs Robert Groves, and it sparked a long friendship.

The couple purchased one of his paintings during the event and continued to buy from him directly for more than 40 years.

The family is now preparing to downsize and relocate – and is auctioning the collection.

Highlights include a piece depicting a bald eagle in a snow-covered landscape, which has an estimated price of between £500 and £1,000.

There are also studies of owls and British songbirds – and birds of prey.

“His deep appreciation for the local landscape and wildlife clearly influenced his work, which often featured British birds in their natural habitats,” Ms Cross said.

“His Suffolk roots weren’t just a backdrop; they were a source of inspiration.

“He even transformed the land around his home into a haven for wildlife, which became a living studio for many of his paintings.”