Antiques Roadshow expert Grant Ford – international fine art specialist – left one guest stunned with the valuation from her “retirement present” after admitting she had got it for free.
During the repeat episode which airs tonight on BBC One, Adam Schoon received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Scottish Cup, the most important trophy in Scottish football, and he found out more about – Andrew Watson, who is considered as the first black international footballer.
Items brought in to be valued included a carrier bag full of rare Russian jewels, a collection of dolls’ house crockery, and a black opal necklace, however, it was Ford who left his guest lost for words when he revealed the four-figure value.
Taking a look at the painting, Ford exclaimed: “From the sun-drenched gardens of Edinburgh to the sun-drenched streets of France, this vibrant oil on board with beautiful colour is signed lower right, D Bane 46.
“And of course it is by the well known Scottish, 20th Century artist Donald Bane. Now what’s its story?” leaving the guest to explain: “Well I have known the painting just over 20 years, it used to hang in the offices of the company that I worked in.
“And in 2018 the offices underwent a major refurbishment and the painting was consigned to a cupboard, I retired in November 2020 and my employers very kindly asked if there was anything that I wanted.
Grant Ford was stunned to see the painting at the roadshow
BBC
“I said, if nobody wants the painting could I possibly have it, so, that’s how it came into my possession.”
“What a lovely retirement present, and what do you really really love about it?” Ford asked before the guest continued: “I just love the colours, the sky is so nice and blue and I don’t know, it’s summery and it’s bright and beautiful.”
Delving into the history of the painting, Ford revealed: “Of course, Donald Bane, he is quiet well known in Scotland as an artist. He studied under William York McGregor, Glasgow boy, but his real influnce was France.
“He loved Matisse, he loved Cezanne, and you can definately see that Cezanne colour and one of his great friendships was with John Duncan Fergason, a very well known Scottish colourist, a very significant artist and we can see in the pallet of this picture, all the influence of his great friend.
The painting was valued between £8,000 and £12,000
“So, absolutely lovely and in really gorgeous condition. Now, do you have any idea of value?” Ford concluded with the guest admitting: “I don’t really know, my husband only thinks about £50.”
Laughing, Ford joked that it sounded like her husband didn’t appreciate the picture, but she quickly reassured the expert that he did and had grown to love it after being hung on the wall for a while.
Revealing the valuation, Ford explained: “I think most people would love to own this Donald Bane, and I think it is a really commercial, vibrant, colourful example by him.
“And it is certainly at least £800 to £1,200,” he said before the guests mouth fell open and she exclaimed: “That is unbeliveable.”
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