An Antiques Roadshow guest was astonished to discover the true value of his charity shop treasure after it was revealed to be worth a pretty penny on the show.
During filming at The Grand Spa Hall in Scarborough, BBC expert Will Farmer shared a surprising connection with the visitor, as they both owned a “beautiful” Italian figurine.
Farmer shared his own flashback: “Twenty-five years ago, let’s say at the modest age of 13 years old, I walked into an antique fair and acquired my very own example. Exactly the same. But tell me, where’s yours from?”
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The surprised guest answered: “I bought it in Whitby about six months ago at a charity shop,” followed by Farmer’s astonished reaction: “Good grief.”
Dying to know the bargain price, Farmer found out the chap had snagged the beauty for a mere £29.95, reports the Express.
After tipping his hat to the owner’s “seriously good eye”, Farmer was keen to know what drew him to the artwork, with the guest detailing how he spotted the “beautiful” piece on Antiques Roadshow and identified it as a Lenci creation thanks to the programme.
(Image: (Image: BBC))
With “Lenci” being mentioned, Farmer lit up: “Well you’ve said that wonderful name. Lenci in the 1920s and 1930s were really the jewel in the crown of the Italian ceramic industry.
“And if we look underneath, the nice thing about Lenci is they are very clearly marked. Lenci, made in Italy, and the name of this piece, which is Angelita alla Corrida.”
He went on to laud Lenci’s pedigree: “Now Lenci in the 1920s and 1930s were really at the pinnacle of what they were doing. They were formed by a young lady called Helen Konig Scavini and Scavini was a well-travelled lady indeed.”
The figurine had a rich history, with Farmer revealing: “She actually originated from Germany, ended up in Switzerland and married an Italian to then just settle in Turin.”
The expert continued: “And what started out as a cottage industry actually making felt dolls, by 1928, her work had grown into this wonderful ceramic firm, making really what are classed now as some of the most wonderful deco figures of the period.”
Farmer praised the figurine, saying: “They epitomise the style, the chicness, the essence of that day.”
The guest had purchased the item for just under £30, with Farmer joking that he had let the shop keep the extra 5p.
However, the expert had some surprising news: “Oh well done, that’s good, because if I say to you we need to, very comfortably, move the decimal point, your £29.95 realistically now is worth £2,500 to £3,000.”
The guest was stunned, exclaiming: “Good grief. Really? Astonished at that.”
Farmer explained that the figurines were highly sought after, particularly by Italians, and that he himself was a fan.
The guest was overjoyed, thanking Farmer for the incredible valuation.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
