A guest on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow was left utterly speechless after discovering that a painting he purchased for a mere £20 could now be worth a staggering sum of up to £18,000. The remarkable valuation unfolded during a recent episode of the beloved programme, which was filmed at the historic Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in west London.
Portrait Painted by Dutch Master
The stunning artwork in question is a portrait of a young boy captured in a contemplative pose. Expert Frances Christie, who appraised the piece on the show, expressed her admiration, noting that despite dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, it appeared as fresh as if it were painted yesterday.
Christie identified the artist as F. D. Oerder, a classically trained Dutch painter. She praised his skillful use of oil paints to render the subject's very subtle facial features and thoughtfulness. The expert speculated that this was likely a personal piece from Oerder's collection, featuring a boy who sat for the portrait as a favour rather than as a commissioned client.
Guest's Incredible Find in South Africa
The owner recounted his serendipitous acquisition of the painting. Having been raised in South Africa and born in Cape Town, he moved to the UK in the mid-1980s but frequently returned to visit family. I saw it in a bric-à-brac shop probably in 1998, I should think, he recalled. As soon as I saw him I thought 'I have to have that' so I bought him and brought him back to the UK and he's been here ever since.
He admitted that the exact price was hazy in his memory, estimating it was probably between £20 and £30 or around the equivalent of that. This modest investment would soon be revealed as one of extraordinary value.
Valuation Leaves Owner Gobsmacked
Frances Christie delivered the jaw-dropping appraisal, stating: I think if this was to come to auction today I can't see an estimate of any less than £12,000 to £18,000. The guest's reaction was one of pure astonishment. Really? Gosh, that's amazing. I had no idea! he exclaimed.
Reflecting on the experience, he added: Thank you so much that's so fascinating about him. I learned so much about the artist and what Frances told me about the picture and how he painted it was just fascinating. And then to hear, compared to what I paid, what it might be worth is just incredible.
Another Roadshow Revelation: Six-Figure Pole Club
This eye-watering valuation follows another recent Antiques Roadshow surprise, where a guest was left stunned by an item discovered in her family's home. During an episode filmed at Firstsite contemporary art gallery in Colchester, expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan assessed an unusual ironwood pole club.
The visitor explained that her in-laws found the object after purchasing a new house in West Wales during the 1960s, where it had been left behind by previous owners. Through initial research, the family suspected it might originate from Fiji, but Archer-Morgan identified it as a magnificent akatara from the Cook Islands, likely made on Rarotonga or Atiu.
Ceremonial Weapon with Spiritual Power
Ronnie detailed the club's history, noting it was originally a fighting weapon that evolved into a ceremonial object imbued with manna or spiritual power. I feel as though I've got the power holding this. It's such an impressive object, he remarked. He dated it to the 18th century, based on its stone-cut construction, and suggested a possible connection to Captain James Cook's voyages.
Despite minor damage to the tip, Archer-Morgan valued the pole club at an astonishing £100,000 to £150,000, suitable for a top sale in Paris. The guest reacted with disbelief, saying: Crikey. That's amazing, really amazing. She later mused: I just can't believe how did something like that end up in an old house in the middle of Wales? How did it get there?
Antiques Roadshow continues to captivate audiences with such remarkable discoveries, airing Sundays on BBC One and available for streaming on iPlayer.
