Lark E. Mason
Mason has had many years in the antique world, which means that it takes quite a lot to impress him. He is well-known for his extensive expertise in Chinese antiques. However, he is also a vessel of excellent knowledge in many other fields.
Lark E. Mason
Rare Finds
Since Mason had been in the industry for numerous years, it was hard for him to come across such a spectacular find, even while on the Antiques Roadshow. However, Mason was presented with something quite uncommon in an episode of the show in 2002.
Rare Finds
Lost for Words
In this episode, Mason was lost for words when the lion statue caught his eye. The owner of this statue was an older woman who explained that the lion had belonged to her grandparents, and it was made out of marble.
Lost For Words
She Speaks
The lady explained that she had inherited the piece and didn’t think too much of it. However, a friend of hers had some knowledge of Chinese art and took a look at the piece. This was when the fun started and ultimately led to the woman meeting Mason.
She Speaks
A Shock
Mason was shocked and speechless. After spotting the lion statue, he had to regain his composure to convey the value of what she had inherited to the woman. The man took a while to get back to a calm state, but he eventually managed to do so.
A Shock
Fantastic
He told the mature lady that he was a little worked up by what he was looking at. He couldn’t keep his eyes off of the piece of Chinese art. It happened to be one of the finest examples of Chinese art to ever be featured on the Roadshow.
Fantastic
Highly Impressed
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to see that Mason was genuinely impressed with what he was looking at. He continued to praise the work. The carvings were beautiful, and it was made from the finest marble. It was an exceptional piece.
Highly Impressed
Correcting Information
After the woman had provided Mason with the information she had been told, Mason quickly had to correct her. This lion statue wasn’t from the Ming Dynasty. It was actually from the golden period of Chinese art known as the Tang Dynasty.
Correcting Information
The Tang Dynasty
The Tang Dynasty was a Chinese imperial house that lasted for many centuries. This time period is regarded as being the golden age of ancient Chinese art. This was a time where all aspects of art, like music, literature, painting, and dance, completely flourished.
The Tang Dynasty
Chinese Arts and Culture
The blossoming of Chinese arts and culture can be linked to the Tang Empire’s contacts with other cultures, including those in the Middle East and India. This time was when block printing was invented, which meant that written thoughts could easily be spread.
Chinese Arts And Culture
Religious in Nature
Many of the sculptures made during the Tang Dynasty were religious in nature. Buddhism was the prevailing faith at the time, which meant that many Buddha carvings were done in this time. It’s said that the wealth of Buddhist monasteries funded this prolific period of artistic creation.
Religious In Nature
The Longmen Grottoes
Some of the most renowned statues made during this time are carved directly into limestone cliff faces, located at the Longmen Grottoes. These caverns have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000.
The Longmen Grottoes
Other Forms of Art
Apart from pottery and sculpture, other forms of three-dimensional art were blossoming during the Tang period. The tombs of ruling elite individuals were known to be decorated with earthenware figures and colorful glazes. Fine porcelain was also produced in this period.
Other Forms Of Art
Back to the Lion
The editor-in-chief, Larry Canale, described this lion as one of the most memorable items were to be featured on the show. Another noteworthy thing there that day was a Navajo blanket, which had an estimated value of up to $500,000.
Back To The Lion
In Albuquerque
The episode that featured this marble lion sculpture was filmed in Albuquerque. Mason’s reaction to this piece was entirely unexpected. He had never expected to encounter such an essential element, especially in New Mexico.
In Albuquerque
Perfect
Mason later wrote in Antiques Roadshow Insider in 2003 detailing the encounter he had in Albuquerque. He stated that the marble lion sculpture was in perfect condition. It was smooth and unmarred by any damage, which was incredibly impressive for something of its age.
Perfect
Its Value
Given Mason’s reaction to the piece, many people wanted to know the value of the marble lion sculpture. It was estimated that the lion’s value was around $250,000. The lady remained cool as a cucumber after hearing this.
Its Value
Not the Only Find
With all that being said, the marble lion sculpture was an incredible find. However, the show has been around for many years and has seen so many pieces. It’s for this reason that other discoveries are just as astonishing.
Not The Only Find
Richard Dadd Painting
During a visit to Barnstable in 1986, one of the most remarkable discoveries was filmed. It was a lost painting that the 19th-century artist Richard Dadd had done. The painting was named ‘Halt in the Desert,’ and it had been missing since 1857.
Richard Dadd Painting
12 Silver Bull’s Head Stirrup Cups
Finding one silver stirrup cup is something any antique expert would welcome. Discovering this would definitely make their day. However, discovering 12 of these would possibly go down as one of the best days in their lives, which is exactly what happened for Alastair Dickenson on the show.
12 Silver Bull’s Head Stirrup Cups
Art Deco Bracelet
While on the show, Geoffrey Munn could hardly contain himself when he saw a bracelet that he believed to be from the late 1920s. He stated that this piece of jewelry was an extraordinary collision of intrinsic value and art.
Art Deco Bracelet
The 18th Century Dolls House
Later described as ‘an item of national importance,’ an 18th-century doll’s house was brought on the show and observed by Fergus Gambon, who gave the item an estimated value of $150,000. It was later seen as one of the most important baby doll houses in existence.
The 18th Century Dolls House
The Wartime Pigeon Memorabilia Collection
A collection of the animal equivalent of a Victoria Cross and Dickin Medals were valued by Graham Lay while on the show. This collection was valued at more than $200,000. It turned out that 250,000 pigeons in the National Pigeon Service were used to save lives during wartime.
The Wartime Pigeon Memorabilia Collection
An 18th-Century Sword
Graham Lay was the expert on the show that quickly recognized a distinctive sword when it was featured in Guernsey in 2009. It had an interesting appearance with a distinctive grip. The hilt of this sword was in the shape of a crocodile.
An 18th Century Sword
A Bronze Racehorse
Dendy Easton was the expert present on the show when a bronze racehorse sculpture was featured. It was later revealed that this sculpture was a horse Brown Jack model, which was a scarce bronze by Sir Alfred Munnings.
A Bronze Racehorse
An 18th-Century Apothecary Desk
An 18th-century apothecary desk was featured on the show and later valued at more than $200,000. It had 421 drawers and was seen as a crucial piece of mid-18th-century furniture that once was used in Lulworth Castle. It was made from stunning Cuban mahogany wood.
An 18th Century Apothecary Desk
Beatrix Potter Paintings
In Dumfries, 23 original watercolors and pictures done by Beatrix Potter were brought onto the show. It was later disclosed that the owner of these paintings was a friend of Beatrix Potter. Some of the paintings weren’t complete, and others predate Peter Rabbit.
Beatrix Potter Paintings
William Orpen Painting
At first, a painting that was brought onto the show was said to be copied. However, it turned out that the item was actually the original. It was a painting done by Sir William Orpen of his mistress, who was reported to be a spy during the First World War.
William Orpen Painting
A Painting by John Lavery
An item displaying a stunning sunset scene was brought onto the show in Hereford in 2007. This painting was done by the renowned Irish artist named John Lavery. This item was first purchased by the owner’s grandfather, who bought it after the First World War.
A Painting By John Lavery
The Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema Portrait
A portrait that was done by a Victorian painter, Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema, was brought onto the show in Cheshire in 2016. The portrait showcased Tadema’s friend and engraver Leopold Löwenstam and was later seen as one of the best pictures ever featured on the show.
The Sir Lawrence Alma Tadema Portrait
John. F. Kennedy’s Jacket
A leather jacket was brought onto the show that John reportedly owned. F. Kennedy. It was later valued at more than $300,000. This jacket’s value was that it highlighted a love affair between the former US president and his Swedish girlfriend.
John. F. Kennedy’s Jacket
The Gold Leica 2 Luxus Camera
The owner of this camera stated that he had owned it for the pasted 45 years and didn’t see it as anything unique or unusual. However, it was actually a very rare camera that was later given an estimated value of more than $250,000.
The Gold Leica 2 Luxus Camera
Crawley Silver
One of the most memorable moments of the entire show happened in 1994 when a young man brought a stunning silver collection to the show. The owner of this silver collection had inherited it from his father, and it was later sold for more than $300,000.
Crawley Silver
Banksy’s Mobile Lovers
A painting done by Banksy was featured on the show in 2014. It was painted on a door opposite the Broad Pain Boys’ Club located in Bristol. The painting was later sold for more than $400,000, and all of these proceeds went to keeping the Boys’ Club running.
Banksy’s Mobile Lovers
A Painting by Van Dyck
While filming the Roadshow, one of the experts of the show spotted a painting that she believed to be a genuine Van Dyck. The painting was originally bought in an antique shop in Cheshire in 1992 by a priest, which cost him less than $400. The painting was later valued at more than $400,000.
A Painting By Van Dyck
Jardinière by Christoffel
A Parisian Bronze Jardinière was sitting in the owner’s living room for ages before it was brought onto the show. Later, it was valued at more than $500,000. The pot was actually a French Japonisme urn that was made in 1874.
Jardinière By Christoffel
A Marquette of the Angel of the North
Philip Mould was the expert on the show when a Marquette of the Angel of the North was showcased. He later stated that it was possibly one of the most successful contemporary sculptures from Britain. Gateshead Council now owns the final Marquette and the Angel.
A Marquette Of The Angel Of The North
A Yellow Diamond Asscher-Cut Ring
This circa-1930 canary yellow diamond ring was passed down to the family before being featured on the show. It was said to be massive considering it was a yellow Asscher-cut diamond, and it was valued at around $75,000 to $100,000.
A Yellow Diamond Asscher Cut Ring
Art Deco Emerald and Diamond Ring
This Art Deco ring was a lovely family heirloom that was made somewhere between the 1920 and 1930s. The center emerald is a sugarloaf cut, which is done to maximize the green tone. It was valued at around $70,000 and $90,000.
Art Deco Emerald And Diamond Ring
Louis Comfort Tiffany Necklace
This circa 1915 Tiffany necklace was purchased in the late 1970s and is made from black opals known as patchwork opal. The necklace was signed by Tiffany & Co, as well as Louis Comfort Tiffany. It’s valued at more than $90,000.
Louis Comfort Tiffany Necklace