Hi Nina,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
I appreciate the link to the Sotheby's sale; this could have been painted by Lancret. As a small, intimate composition of just a few figures, it varies considerably from his large-scale compositions that feature multiple figures - it is the latter that attract the high six- and low seven-figure figures.
For a comparable example, I refer you to this sale at Christie's in 2016: https://www.askart.com/auction_records/Nicolas_Lancret/9000796/Nicolas_Lancret.aspx?lot=4045880 (you may not be able to see the final sale price through Askart; it was $81,250.
Thjs could be a study for one of his larger compositions but that is a question best answered by closer examination we aren't able to do in this appraisal (Mearto.com provides authentication services).
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

manner of Nicolas Lancret (French, 1690-1743)
Three Figures in Candlelight
oil on panel or board
13 by 14 inches, framed
CONDITION: client purports this to be in perfect condition
PROVENANCE: acquired at auction after World War II, thence by inheritance
$20,000-30,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you again for using Mearto.com.
Because of the potential high value of this work, and because you indicated an interest in selling it, one of our representatives will reach out by email in the next day or two to provide some information on options for consignment and sale. If you have any questions in the meantime, please just let me know!