Antiques Roadshow expert insists ‘size matters’ as he gives ‘charming’ sculpture top price tag
Share:
WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow. An Antiques Roadshow guest was “astounded” by her sculpture’s true value but was adamant that it wouldn’t go anywhere in her “lifetime.”. Expert Cristian Beadman was on hand to meet with guests of the BBC daytime show who were visiting the Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in London for filming.
Among those who sat down with them was a pensioner and her daughter, who presented him with a unique sculpture. “Well, what a charming bronze! Evocative of summer beach holidays and good weather”, he said. “It’s a classic Neapolitan subject. It’s called Pescatorello which is obviously a young fisher boy. “How long have you had it for?”.
Its owner replied: “1976, we went to Naples. My husband was in the Air Force and he was posted there as headmaster of the British School but also looking after the RAF personnel and their wives and whatever. “And we became very friendly with the Italian men who provided coaches for the children to be brought to the school. We had it as a gift, my husband, my daughter, and myself.”.
Beadman commented: “It’s interesting that it was given to the family in Naples while your husband was there. “It’s inscribed for the sculptor Giovanni Varlese, as you know, and he was born in 1888. He lived until 1922. He died very young, at the age of 34.
