ATTLEBORO - Another painting by Russian artist Alexandre Iacovleff may have been found at the Attleboro Arts Museum.

North Attleboro schools recently discovered that a painting that had been hanging almost unnoticed for more than 50 years at Community School is the Iacovleff work "Afghans."

It has been appraised at $600,000 to $800,000, but experts say the artwork could fetch $1 million or more at auction. Iacovleff paintings are considered hot properties among Russian art collectors, and one of his works recently sold for $2 million.

Now museum Executive Director Mim Brooks Fawcett said she believes a painting that has surfaced in the museum's collection is also an Iacovleff titled "Under a Kirghiz Tent."

She said the 4-foot by 7-foot work has been sent to a professional appraiser for verification. Fawcett said Gregory Smith, owner of Standard Chain in North Attleboro, came to the museum last week with a copy of a document that indicated his grandfather, W. Charles Thompson, had donated "Under a Kirghiz Tent" to the museum upon his death in 1957.

Thompson donated "Afghans" to the North Attleboro schools in 1951.

Fawcett said she searched the museum's collection and found the painting she believes was done by Iacovleff.

But the signature is faded and there is no identifying plaque on the front or writing on the back, she said.

The painting was a centerpiece of the museum when it was located in a small house in Capron Park, but has not been on display recently at the current museum on Park Street.

Fawcett said the painting has been sent to Skinner Inc. for a professional appraisal.

The museum has not yet begun to decide what to do with the painting if it is authentic.

"We don't know yet. We need to get all the facts," she said.