Antiques Roadshow guest left speechless as she learns eye-watering value of ‘most amazing’ paintings left hidden in attic for 14 years

by

As an avid collector of antiques and a frequent viewer of Antiques Roadshow, this story has left me absolutely spellbound! The thrill of discovering hidden treasures that hold immense value is something I can relate to deeply.

A woman who appeared on Antiques Roadshow was left utterly astonished upon discovering the staggering worth of her previously disregarded paintings.

14 years ago, the artwork stored in her attic was recently discovered and praised as “the most astonishing piece I’ve encountered in a long time” by art expert David Battle.

The guest joined the series at Ightham Mote in Ivy Hatch to have the car boot painting valued. 

‘Do you have these hanging on your wall?,’ David asked. 

The lady admitted: ‘No. They’ve been in my loft for about 14 years!’

She mentioned that she didn’t find them appealing, explaining, “My spouse picked them up at a flea market around fifteen years back.”

My daughter’s husband believes these artifacts are from India, dating back to around the mid-18th century, as he considers himself an expert in this field.

David elaborated: “These frames are from the 18th century China, and they hold a delicate inner mount that’s exquisitely enameled onto copper.”

‘Then there’s another border, this time with rough cut garnets probably in gilt beading.

‘The frame encloses these two scenes. What’s going on? I find the iconography deeply puzzling.

It’s quite clear that we’re dealing with an elephant here. However, contrary to some speculations, it doesn’t appear to be a traditional Indian painting.

“I can tell this isn’t an Indian artwork because the way the elephant’s eyes are depicted is typical of Chinese art. In Chinese culture, a white elephant symbolizes the Buddha.”

Overwhelmed by curiosity, I cast my gaze upon the canvas before me, and uttered, “Yet here, what’s the story? There stands a man, offering a military figure a gleaming silver urn.”

David clarified: ‘The urn he’s using isn’t just for soup. Instead, I believe that the silver urn and its contents represent the death of a young girl, while the other item stands for the husband receiving her spirit or soul.’

“The neoclassical urn carries a common symbolism associated with grief, and it truly stands out as one of the most remarkable pieces I’ve come across in quite some time.”

The expert suggested, “It’s best to bring those items down from the attic. After a professional cleaning, I believe they could be worth between £15,000 and £20,000.”

Read More

2024-08-30 14:52