A SOUTH Cumbria auction house has launched its own inquisition after two life-size carvings of Spanish soldiers were discovered at a house clearance near Ulverston.

David Brookes of 1818 Auctioneers says he has never seen anything like them in his 35 years of valuing antiques.

The antiques expert knows they are a pair of 19th century carved wooden statues, modelled in the style of native Spanish Conquistadors, and possibly made in the Black Forest region of Germany. Standing just under seven feet tall, including detachable plinths, the bare-chested warriors are depicted wearing animal skins and a helmet.

Mirroring each other, they hold clubs which rest on their shoulders. The bases are well decorated with animal masks and seated heraldic figures. Mr Brookes adds that the carving is detailed and skilfully done and the wood is stained a deep brown.

“Beyond that, they are a complete mystery and one that we could do with solving,” said Mr Brookes.

He said: “We know the Victorians loved their busts and statues - everything from knights in armour, angels and lions to athletes wrestling serpents. Technological advances meant they were made out of all sorts of materials and ranged in size from the miniature to the massive. Statues were collected by the wealthy and the middle classes to decorate their homes and, in the case of these two soldiers, to make a grand statement possibly either side of a doorway or the foot of a staircase.

“I have asked colleagues and antique buyers for their opinions but nothing has come of it other than a bit of excitement and further speculation. I have also looked to see if they may have come from a large country house that no longer exists or one that has been converted, but I have found nothing.

“I would love to know where they were made, and by whom, and how they came to find their home in a modern house near Ulverston. Unfortunately that story has been lost with the owner."

The statues will be sold at 1818 Auctioneers' two-day sale on Monday June 5 and Tuesday June 6, at the firm’s saleroom at Junction 36, just off the M6 on the Cumbria-Lancashire border.

They are estimated to make between £3,000 and £5,000, but Mr Brookes says they could easily exceed that figure given how unique and well-made they are.

Anyone with information can contact Mr Brookes on 015395 66204.

Conquistador fact file.

A Conquistador was a Spanish soldier, explorer and adventurer. The Conquistadors invaded and conquered much of the Americas and the Philippines Islands and other islands in Asia Pacific. Many of them were hidalgos (noblemen of low category).

Their conquests brought these lands under Spanish colonial rule between the 15th and 17th centuries, starting with the 1492 settlement by Christopher Columbus in what is now the Bahamas.