Antiques Roadshow expert astonished by massive profit on £15 sculpture

443     0
Antiques expert Ojiri impresses viewers with profit-making piece from renowned sculpture (Image: BBC)
Antiques expert Ojiri impresses viewers with profit-making piece from renowned sculpture (Image: BBC)

A BBC Antiques Roadshow expert has proved he had his eyes on the prize after snapping up a £15 sculpture to be sold at auction for a massive profit.

The BBC spin-off Antiques Road Trip sees the show's Roadshow experts handed £200 to spend on items which they spot before they go under the hammer.

The latest episode of the daytime show saw experts Ochuko Ojiri and Margie Cooper visiting antique shops in Malvern, Evesham, Upton-Upon-Severn, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham ion the hunt for the all important profit-making items.

And on their final stop Ojiri stumbled across a wooden sculpture in a Gloucester antiques shop.

Antiques Roadshow expert astonished by massive profit on £15 sculpture qhidddiqxxiqdkinvAntiques expert snapped up a Brian Wilshire piece for a bargain price (BBC)

"Wow! That stands out doesn't it?” he exclaimed. “How different is that?”

Life-sized Shrek statue goes missing with police launching urgent searchLife-sized Shrek statue goes missing with police launching urgent search

“I love objects for objects' sake. It doesn't have to do anything, it's just beautiful," he added.

After taking a closer look he spotted a a credit on the piece with the first name Brian.

Further detective work discovered the piece was actually the work of Brian Wilshire, a highly regarded artist whose work was sold at Liberty's and exhibited at the Royal Academy.

Antiques Roadshow expert astonished by massive profit on £15 sculptureBrian Wilshire's work has been sold in Liberty's (BBC)

Wilshire's detailed pieces were painstakingly produced by only using a band saw despite their intricate detail.

But despite the potential profit to be made, Ojiri still haggled the shop owner down to £15 from the listed price of £28.

After pocketing the piece the pair headed of to the auction and task auctioneer Jay Goodman-Browne to assess their find.

Asked prior to auction if anything stood out he said: "The wooden sculpture, really nice piece by Brian Wilshire, sculpted in the 1970s.

Antiques Roadshow expert astonished by massive profit on £15 sculptureThe experts reaction was one of astonishment (BBC)

“He is a prolific London artist, very much got his inspiration from Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore as well. So, I expect to this hit quite big money today."

The piece proved to be popular attracting both online and in the auction room, with the hammer falling at £420.

Meanwhile fans of the original show Antiques Road Show will welcome a special edition coming to air later this month looking back at the history of nursing.

Meet the Labour candidate hoping to oust Boris Johnson at the next electionMeet the Labour candidate hoping to oust Boris Johnson at the next election
Antiques Roadshow expert astonished by massive profit on £15 sculptureTV presenter Fiona Bruce is bringing a look back at medical equipment nurses used right back to the 19th Century in a special episode this month (SWNS.com)

Presenter Fiona Bruce will be joined by comedian Jo Brand who worked as a psychiatric nurse for 10 years before swapping to the circuit.

During the episode called Antiques Roadshow – A Nursing Special, Bruce discovers more about the nurses and midwives that inspired the hit drama series Call The Midwife.

Antiques Road Trip is on BBC1 weekdays at 3.45pm. Antiques Roadshow – A Nursing Special airs on BBC One on Sunday February 26 at 7pm.

Louise Lavigueur

Art, Antiques Roadshow

Read more similar news:

03.02.2023, 00:00 • News
Ellie Bamber to play Kate Moss in film about her relationship with Lucian Freud
03.02.2023, 22:23 • World
Teenage boys' den for playing board games could be torn down after one complaint
04.02.2023, 12:19 • Politics
Ex-Tory chairman calls for Raab to be suspended during bullying investigation
07.02.2023, 11:29 • Finance
Woman transforms 1960s cottage into 'pink palace' - and saves £10k with DIY
07.02.2023, 15:13 • News
Woman shares game-changing painting hack that doesn't require any 'masking tape'
07.02.2023, 17:07 • More
8 places to enjoy a UK Staycation in 2023
08.02.2023, 00:01 • World
King Charles' image on Royal Mail stamps show 'defining part' of monarch's reign
09.02.2023, 07:04 • News
Just Stop Oil activists who were glued to Da Vinci painting fined just £175 each
10.02.2023, 15:33 • News
Real-life Hansel and Gretel house built by reclusive pair "to lure children in"
16.02.2023, 12:10 • Finance
Savvy car-boot shopper discovers his £2 car boot find is worth £30,000