On Monday, a Fake Or Fortune expert was taken aback when they were shown an object purchased for £35 and kept in a Primark bag, only to find out it held a life-changing value.
The hit BBC show, which is presented by Fiona Bruce, 61, and art dealer Philip Mould, 65, continued with a brand new episode.
Fans watched as the pair uncovered a historical painting believed to have been created by New Zealand painter Frances Hodgkins.
Robjn Cantus had purchased the piece for just £35 when Hertfordshire County Council sold off its mid-20th-century collection.
He then explained how he posted a snap of the painting on his blog, before being told in 2021 it may be by Hodgkins.
The keen reader also informed him if it is the real deal, it could be worth up to a whopping £50,000.
An expert from Fake Or Fortune was astounded on Monday upon realizing an item acquired for £35 and stored in a Primark bag had a life-changing worth.
The hit BBC show, which is presented by Fiona Bruce, 61, and art dealer Philip Mould, 65, continued with its latest episode
Robjn Cantus (pictured) had purchased the piece for just £35 when Hertfordshire County Council sold off its mid-20th-century collection
Robjn said: ‘The painting came up for sale as some of the less important works from the Hertfordshire Council Pictures for Schools Scheme in 2019.
‘I went on a bit of a trolley dash buying the works, as many were not expensive and there were many items in each lot.’
However, with no signature on the painting and another name listed, as well as a scant provenance, it remained questionable if it was the real deal.
Struggling to have its authenticity confirmed, the historical painting became one of Fake Or Fortune’s most difficult cases yet.
After liasing with experts from across the industry, Fiona and Philip gathered Robjn to deliver the verdict.
With the painting now framed, it was down to Mary Kisler, the foremost authority on Frances Hodgkins, to break the news.
Joining on Zoom from New Zealand, Mary said: ‘I empathically think it is by Frances Hodgkins.
While Robyn appeared lost for words, Fiona branded the discovery ‘the find of a lifetime!’
Fans watched as the pair uncovered a historical painting believed to have been created by New Zealand painter Frances Hodgkins
With no signature on the painting and another name listed, as well as a scant provenance, it remained questionable if it was the real deal
Mary Kisler, the foremost authority on Frances Hodgkins, joined on Zoom to confirm the painting was genuine, immediately spiking its price
Despite learning how much it would fetch at auction, he said the colourful piece would now proudly hang on his wall at home.
Meanwhile, last month an art collector called Barry James was told the true value of his art work supposedly painted by Winston Churchill.
He said how he originally bought the piece for just £140 at an antiques market in the village of Ardingly, in West Sussex.
He is later told that if it is the real deal, the art work could be worth a whopping £600,000.
Fake Or Fortune airs Mondays at 9pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
