ED FOSS An auction featuring collections from two Norfolk homes, including valuable 17th century paintings, will start tomorrow. The pieces from Shelton Hall, near Long Stratton, and Sutton Hall, near Stalham, have been on view at Bonhams in Ipswich since Saturday.

ED FOSS

An auction featuring collections from two Norfolk homes, including valuable 17th century paintings, will start tomorrow.

The pieces from Shelton Hall, near Long Stratton, and Sutton Hall, near Stalham, have been on view at Bonhams in Ipswich since Saturday.

Both collections have a strong Dutch and Flemish influence, which auctioneers have said reflects the historic links between Norfolk and its close European neighbours.

The highlights of the auction will include two early 17th century Dutch portraits of Charles I and his controversial adviser, the 1st Baron Cottington, who was an influential member of the courts of both James I and Charles I. Both are estimated at £4000-6000 and come from the Sutton Hall collection.

There will also be a beautifully detailed 17th century Antwerp cabinet from Shelton Hall included in the sale, which is expected to fetch more than £4000.

James Glennie from Bonhams Norfolk office said: "These two collections are evidence of Norfolk's past connection with the Low Countries.

"Four hundred years ago over one third of the population of

Norwich originated from this part of Europe and the culture and tastes of the Flemish and Dutch influenced our architecture, our artists and our craftsmen.

"Although their influence is all around us it is not so often we find work originating directly from the Low Countries on the market in East Anglia."

All the items will be sold as part of a Bonhams sale, which takes place tomorrow and Thursday at the company's Ipswich salerooms.