A rare work by one of Britain’s greatest artists has sparked an equally rare response after receiving an astronomical valuation on Antiques Roadshow.
Sunday night’s installment of the long-running BBC program welcomed guests and their dusty relics to historic Oxfordshire venue Stonor House.
But art historian Lawrence Hendra was left visibly stunned after being confronted with an original work by mid-20th century artist LS Lowry, famous for his depictions of industrial Manchester.
The artist, who died in 1976 at the age of 88, is one of Britain’s most forged artists, but his framed painting of a crudely drawn male figure was fortunately authenticated by an undisclosed gallery, as it was bought for less from £200 in the mid-sixties.
“I think it painted the mood of the nation,” Hendra said. ‘Lowry’s provenance is crucial.
A rare work by one of Britain’s greatest artists has sparked an equally rare response after receiving an astronomical valuation on Antiques Roadshow.
Art historian Lawrence Hendra was visibly stunned after being confronted with an original work by mid-20th century artist LS Lowry.
“Now, fortunately, on the back of your photo you have a label from the gallery that represented Lowry, as you know, and sold many of his works, and you also have this letter.”
Taking out a piece of correspondence from the gallery, he added: “And this letter was sent to you by the gallery director in 1998, and it says: ‘in addition to your letter of July 29, the Lowry painting was sold by us in 1965 for £175 and has all stock tags and codes.”‘
However, the assessment elicited little more than a muffled laugh and gratitude from its elderly owner, in contrast to the usual reaction of astonishment.
“In terms of value, I think if his painting came up for auction, I would expect it to sell for somewhere between £60 and £80,000,” Kendra said.
The show previously welcomed Swallows and Amazons actress Sophie Neville as she filmed from the Lake District, 50 years after she appeared in the iconic family film.
The former child star, 64, who played Titty Walker and is now an author, brought back memorabilia from the 1974 set, including pirate flags and a bow and arrow.
The film, based on the 1930 novel by Arthur Ransome, followed the Walker children and their adventures in the Lake District as they sailed in their boat called Swallow.
Expert Mark Allum was impressed by the collection, as Sophie said: “(Starring in the film) was an incredible opportunity and we approached her and filmed it on location,” as they looked out over Lake Windermere.
The artist is one of Britain’s most forged artists, but fortunately his framed painting of a crudely drawn male figure was authenticated by an undisclosed gallery.
Its valuation of between £60 and £80,0000 elicited little more than muffled laughter and gratitude from its elderly owner, in contrast to the usual reaction of astonishment.
Seeing the original Swallows flag from his boat, the antiques businessman said: “I just have to touch it with reverence.”
Sophie then joked: “My character Titty made that flag, actually the props made it, and I was 12, I played a nine-year-old girl and I thought those stitches were pretty bad and big and I could have made one a lot.” more orderly.” one’.
Moving on to the valuation, Mark mused: “In monetary terms, it is worth between £4,000 and £6,000 at auction.”
Surprised, the actress asked: ‘Really?! These little things?’
Smiling, he assured her, “Those die-hard fans would kill for a souvenir from a movie like this.”
The show previously welcomed Swallows and Amazons actress Sophie Neville as she filmed from the Lake District, 50 years after she appeared in the iconic family film.
The former child star, who played Titty Walker (pictured second right from the film) brought back souvenirs from the set, including pirate flags and a bow and arrow.
Expert Mark Allum was impressed by the collection, as Sophie said: “(Starring in the film) was an incredible opportunity and we approached her and filmed it on location, ‘while looking out over Lake Windermere.’
Seeing the original Swallows flag from his boat, the antiques businessman said: “I just have to touch it with reverence.”