How long has this Rembrandt pair been in private hands?

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The Rembrandt Portraits Have Been in Private Hands for Two Centuries

The pair of Rembrandt portraits, identified as depicting Jan Willemsz van der Pluym and his wife, have remained in the same private collection for approximately 200 years. Their last known sale in private hands occurred yesterday, July 7, when they fetched over £11 million at Christie’s in London. This remarkable period of private ownership began when an ancestor of the current owners acquired the paintings at a Christie’s auction in 1824.
A Long History of Private Ownership

The portraits, measuring 20 centimetres high, depict an elderly plumber and his wife who were known to be friends of Rembrandt's family and originated from Leiden in the Netherlands. The paintings were purchased at auction by an ancestor of the present owners in 1824, and they have been part of the same family collection ever since. This unbroken lineage of ownership spans two centuries, during which time the artworks were reportedly enjoyed casually by the family.
Return to the Auction Block

These specific portraits had not been extensively researched or featured in Rembrandt literature for the 200 years they were in private possession. They reappeared at Christie's for an auction on July 7, where they were part of the "Old Masters" sale. Prior to the sale, the expectation was that the paintings would achieve a price between £5 million and £8 million.
Record-Breaking Sale

Despite the previous lack of extensive academic focus, the pair of Rembrandt portraits ultimately sold for £11,235,000 at Christie's. This figure significantly exceeded the pre-auction estimates. The sale marks a notable event, as these are described as the last known pair of Rembrandt portraits to be in private hands, highlighting their rarity and historical significance.

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How long has this Rembrandt pair been in private hands?

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