24 September 2023 , 20:07
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Antiques Roadshow viewers were left stunned when expert Serhat Ahmet revealed the whopping value of a pelican he confusingly branded "grotesque".
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". The accountant saw the pelican in the doctor's waiting room and asked if he could have the statue when his client died, to which he agreed.
"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."
The expert praised the unusual statue (BBC)"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 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."
One baffled viewer tweeted: "Oh creepy #AntiquesRoadshow," while another agreed: "'A sculptural beauty'. In the eye of the beholder #AntiquesRoadshow." Another said: "Its a pelican...£1200! #AntiquesRoadshow," but, one viewer agreed with the Antiques Roadshow expert and wrote: "I think that Pelican is awesome, not too shabby for £1200 #antiquesroadshow."