A MYSTERIOUS art piece is believed to have been painted by a suffragette.

Wiltshire antiques dealers Jon White and Steve Bucknell are appealing for information about the watercolour piece.

It was recently bought locally and is on display at Old Bank Antiques in Royal Wootton Bassett.

The piece has been signed by an Ethel M J Smyth and it shows Champery in Switzerland with mountains in the background including its bell tower which exists today.

It has been named Champery 1885.

Jon said: "It’s possible this is an unknown work by the well-known suffragette Ethel Smyth who was a great friend (and possible lover) of Emmeline Pankhurst and she was also the first female UK composer to be honoured as a dame.

"She was famous for her opera The Wreckers. She was a militant suffragette and also composed the anthem of the women’s suffrage movement The March Of The Women."

Jon and Steve sell items from Old Bank Antiques are determined to find out more about the artist.

Steve said: "This is potentially very exciting. The painting is not an accomplished work of art and we’ve been unable to find readily available information about whether or not this amazing woman also enjoyed water colour painting. However it would not be unusual for a lady of that era to dabble in water colours."

To share information about the piece contact hello@oldbankantiques.co.uk