The guest was floored as expert Ben Foster revealed the item’s true value
BBC’s Antique Roadshow returned this Sunday, and one of the episode’s guests had a very humble use for a rare sculpture worth a staggering five figures. With host Fiona Bruce, the show sees ordinary people bring in their valuables to be examined and valuated by a group of experts.
This week, the roadshow travelled to Beaumaris Castle, in North Wales, where one guest brought in a carved stone sculpture that he picked up a few years ago for a modest price. He mentioned that someone told him it “could be African” but that he wasn’t sure what it was or where it originated from.
“I’ve always been perplexed by it, wondering what it is,” he said. “It’s been a doorstop for the past 12 months. I picked it up at a car boot sale on Anglesey. Paid £50 for it so just interested to see where it came from.”
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Resident expert John Foster was able to enlighten him on some of the facts. He said: “The sculptor Ben Enwonwu is one of Nigeria’s most celebrated sculptors.” Enwonu was born in Nigeria and lived from 1917 to 1994 and according to the expert was one of “the first pioneers” in mixing Nigerian art with Western art.
Foster estimated the piece to be from the 1970s and claimed due to a particular stamp featured on the underneath he was sure it was an “absolutely genuine” item. He then estimated the sculpture to be worth a staggering £10,000 to £15000 which left the entire gathering, including the owner gobsmacked. “You’re joking. I could cry,” he said.
“I had no inclination at all that this could be worth so much money. It’s shocked me to be honest, pleasantly shocked me. In an ideal world I’d love to keep it but probably not. I have to be pragmatic. I can’t believe it to be honest. I came here just on the off chance of having a nice day out. I thought it might be worth £100. I thought if I could double my money I’d be laughing.”
Other standout finds of Sunday’s episode included a rare ballerina brooch and a copy of Whinnie the Pooh, found in a charity shop for 30p, that was believed to be a first edition worth £14,000.
