A RARE painting that was discovered under an old table top is expected to fetch up to £400 at auction in Dorchester.

The painting was spotted by Matthew Denney, a valuer from Duke’s auction house, on a routine home visit and it is believed to be a maritime study that could have been painted for King George III.

Mr Denney said: “The table itself may only have been worth £40 but it was when I tilted the top and the sun happened to shine through the window that I realised what was painted underneath it.”

The oil painting depicts a three-quarter view of a ship similar to one in the National Maritime Museum dating back to 1775.

King George III commissioned a series of these paintings to show improvements in ship designs.

Mr Denney said it was difficult to know how the painting, believed to be of The Enterprise, ended up on a table top.

He said: “The other pairs in the series were all painted on panels and are similar in size to the table top painting we have.

“I think it is probable that the painting became lost in the collections in the late 18th Century and as ship design moved on and the monarchy changes, the panels became less important and eventually became re-used.”

The painting is expected to fetch between £200 and £400 when it goes under the hammer at Duke’s on April 11.

For more information contact Duke’s on 01305 265080 or email enquiries@dukes-auctions.com.