Authenticity doubts hit sales of Banksy 'artworks'

Five works by graffiti artist Banksy failed to sell at a weekend auction after doubts were raised about their authenticity.

Auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull said that the five top lots by Banksy, which had been removed from their orignal street settings and had a total estimated value of  up to £275,000, went unsold.

It was unclear whether this  was a result of the row over authenticity or reflected the impact on the art market of the current financial crisis. Before Saturday's London sale, the auctioneer said the five main Banksy's on offer were genuine, even though the only authorized verification body, Pest Control, had declined to confirm that they were by the hugely successful British artist: it would not approve any street pieces removed from their original settings, partly to crack down on fakes and partly to protect the original concept.

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