BBC Antiques Roadshow guest floored by value of 'grotesque' item he paid £100 for

BBC Antiques Roadshow guest has been left floored by his pottery's four-figure value after admitting he "only paid £100 for it". In a September 2023 episode, expert Serhat Ahmet left one guest stunned at the valuation of his grandfather's pelican statue.
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BBC Antiques Roadshow guest has been left floored by his pottery's four-figure value after admitting he "only paid £100 for it". In a September 2023 episode, expert Serhat Ahmet left one guest stunned at the valuation of his grandfather's pelican statue.

The guest explained he inherited the unusual item from his grandfather, who as a "young accountant, went to see one of his clients, a doctor called Alfie Hammond". "It is a sculptural beauty," Serhat remarked before sharing more about the piece which originated in a Doulton Lambeth factory.

"So, Doulton, a wonderfully famous factory started in the 19th century, originally making pipes and toilets and things like that. But in the late 19th century, they turned to making art pottery, things that were simply made to please the eye and this particular piece is an architectural piece."

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"So it's sometimes described as a garden ornament. For me, I just see it very much as a gargoyle type of objects, it's got that real grotesque look about it. So if we think about the 1890s, it was all about the grotesque, the kind of revival of the Gothic and the Martin Brothers who were in Southall were making these wonderfully characterful items, birds with heads that came off and spoon warmers that looked like monsters from the sea," he continued.

"And I think for me, this very much speaks to that and talks to me of what Doulton were doing to try and capture what the Martin Brothers were doing so successfully. Now these are rare, they don't just turn up every day, and the colour of it, this terracotta colour is just wonderful."

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"Any idea of value?" the expert asked to which the owner quipped: "Well, I'd give you £100." Serhat then replied: "I think I'll give you a lot more in fact I would not be surprised if this went way above the £1,200 bracket.

"And I think it's just gorgeous, it really speaks to me and I thank you so much for bringing you on today."