A recent episode of Antiques Roadshow left a guest utterly astonished when he learned that a painting he had acquired for a mere £20 was worth a small fortune. The value of this hidden gem was unveiled during a session at Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in west London.

The painting in question, a captivating portrait of a young boy in a contemplative pose, caught the attention of art expert Frances Christie. Despite its age, dating back to the late 19th or early 20th century, Christie marveled at its pristine condition, remarking that it appeared as though it could have been painted just yesterday.

Christie identified the artist as F. D. Oerder, a classically trained Dutch painter known for his skillful use of oil to capture the delicate facial features and thoughtful expression of the subject. The craftsmanship and timeless appeal of the portrait added significantly to its value.

The guest shared the story of how he came to own this remarkable piece. “I was raised in South Africa, born in Cape Town, and moved to the UK in the mid-80s,” he recounted. “During a visit to see family, probably around 1998, I stumbled upon it in a bric-à-brac shop. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to have it. So, I purchased the painting and brought it back to the UK, where it has remained ever since.”

Recounting how he acquired the painting, the guest said: ‘Well I was brought up in South Africa, born in Cape Town, and came to the UK in the mid-80s, but always went back to visit family 

‘I saw it in a bric-à-brac shop probably in 1998, I should think. As soon as I saw him I thought “I have to have that” so I bought him and brought him back to the UK and he’s been here ever since.’

A guest on the Antiques Roadshow couldn’t help but gasp in shock after discovering the eye-watering value of a painting he bought for just £20

The stunning portrait of a young boy featured on a recently-aired episode of the popular programme filmed at Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in west London

He added of the painting’s price: ‘I can’t remember. I think it was probably between £20 and £30 or around the equivalent of that.’ 

Frances then speculated a little more about the painting’s subject and said that she believed it was a piece from the artist’s personal collection and featured a boy who he had asked to sit for a portrait rather than a paying client. 

The expert then revealed the all-important valuation – and it’s safe to say that the painting’s owner made a very good investment with his £20.  

She said: ‘I think if this was to come to auction today I can’t see an estimate of any less than £12,000 to £18,000.’ 

Reacting to the staggering valuation, the gobsmacked guest said: ‘Really? Gosh, that’s amazing. I had no idea! 

‘Thank you so much that’s so fascinating about him. Thank you.

‘I learned so much about the artist and what Frances told me about the picture and how he painted it was just fascinating. 

‘And then to hear, compared to what I paid, what it might be worth is just incredible.’ 

The painting wowed expert Frances Christie, who said that the piece looked like it could have been painted yesterday, despite dating back to the late 19th or early 20th century, and she valued the piece at between £12,000 and £18,0000

The eye-watering valuation comes after another quest was recently left stunned when an item left behind by the previous owners of her home was valued for a whopping SIX FIGURES. 

Fiona Bruce and the BBC show’s team went to Firsite contemporary art gallery in Colchester for the episode which was shown last weekend.

During the episode, expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan was seen assessing the value of an unusual ironwood pole club.  

The visitor explained her in-laws discovered the item initially, after buying a new home and discovering it had been left behind by the previous owners.

She elaborated: ‘In the 1960s, my husband’s parents bought a house in West Wales with all its contents and this was in its contents.’

Through internet research, her family guessed that the pole club may originate from Fiji.

Expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan assessed the value of the ironwood pole club, as well as giving background on its history

Ronnie was noticeably impressed with the object and revealed it would fetch an impressive amount of between £100,000 and £150,000

Ronnie revealed it was actually from the Cook Islands, adding: ‘This is a magnificent ironwood pole club and the Cook Islands people call it an akatara.

‘They were made either on the island of Rarotonga or Atiu.’

He recounted the story of Captain Cook, who travelled to Polynesia and how, on his third visit, his surgeon spotted one of these pole clubs.

Ronnie continued: ‘Originally, this would have been a fighting weapon, but by the time there was contact from the West, this had become a ceremonial weapon imbued with manna.

‘And manna is like the spiritual power of the warrior chief who would have owned this. 

‘I feel as though I’ve got the power holding this. It’s such an impressive object.’

Furthermore, he could deduce the item’s age – 18th century – by identifying that it is stone cut. 

He added: ‘The 1770s when Cook arrived. If this could be attributed to anything to do with James Cook, wow. Things like this have a value.’

As Antiques Roadshow visited Firstsite in Colchester, a guest was left surprised by the value of their unusual item

He said: ‘It’s a shame about the damage. There’s a little bit of the tip missing, but it doesn’t detract from its energy and power.

‘If I wanted to put it into a sale – and this would go into a top sale in Paris – they would put a very comfortable pre sale estimate between £100,000 and £150,000.’

The guest was surprised to hear this, as she said: ‘Crikey. That’s amazing, really amazing.’ 

Speaking to the camera later on, the guest shared: ‘I just can’t believe how did something like that end up in an old house in the middle of Wales?

‘How did it get there? I’d love to be able to step back in time and follows its journey because it’s just incredible.’

Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.