Antiques Roadshow Expert Reveals Surprising Value of Bronze After Correcting Guest's Mistake

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow.

An Antiques Roadshow guest couldn't hide his delight when he was given some unexpected good news, despite being informed that his actions had decreased the value of a bronze cast.

The BBC daytime show made its way to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh for another episode, with expert Cristian Beadman ready to meet and greet guests.

One such guest was a man who brought along two "dramatic" Russian bronzes, which Beadman believed embodied the spirit of "Mother Russia".

The owner explained why the Cossack bronze held a special place in his heart, saying: "There's a lot of family history behind it. My great-grandfather ran a cotton mill in St Petersburg.

"In the early 20th Century, there were a lot of industrial strikes and he was forced in 1905 to intervene in a dispute between the workers and management over the working hours.

"The normal method of resolving disputes in those days was to send the Cossacks in.

"And they used to beat the workers into submission. But in this case, he decided that was not the way to go.

"And he set up a workers' council to mediate and to reinstate the workers' rights."

Beadman, pointing to the bronze, interjected: "And here we have the plaque along the front that says 'You did without them!'

"So this is from the very grateful workforce."

"It was. So when he retired in 1907, he was given that," the guest confirmed.

The expert revealed the inscription on the back of one piece, stating: "Presented to Joseph Hadfield, your great-grandfather. Esquire by the Office and Hospital of the Nevsky Cotton Mills, St Petersburg, June 1907.'

"What a wonderful bit of family history."

He then noted the significance of the artwork: "As you know, it's a mounted Cossack and the original was cast by a man called Eugene Lanceray. He was Franco-Russian. Hugely popular.

"This, I would probably describe as a late 19th Century cast and it's a very wonderful thing."

When discussing the second cast, the guest acknowledged his limited knowledge, only aware that it had been passed down from his father who inherited it from his mother.

Beadman provided more insight: "So you know it's Russian. It is by a very, very good sculptor called Nikolai Lieberich, hugely respected."

He highlighted Lieberich's renowned skill: "The thing that he was most appreciated for, believe it or not, was the texture and the finish that he could achieve with depictions of wild animals."

Pointing out a prime example, he added: "And here we have this wonderful example of exactly that, the bear's fur."

However, Beadman had to deliver some unfortunate news regarding their condition: "They're both quite shiny, I can't help noticing. Are you a keen polisher?"

The guest responded with a chuckle: "I was last weekend."

The expert advised against such care for antiques: "It's not necessarily a good thing to do with antique bronzes.

"It takes away the original patina which does sadly affect the value."

The appraisal kicked off with the Cossack bronze, where the expert estimated: "This one is probably in the region of, at auction, of £2,000 to £4,000."

However, he noted with a hint of disappointment: "If it weren't so highly polished, you could have doubled those figures."

The valuation took an upward turn with the second bronze: "The Lieberich is again quite highly polished, so I think that one at auction is only £20,000 to £40,000."

The owner reacted with surprise and amusement at the hefty valuation, offering a chuckle before expressing his gratitude: "Thank you very much indeed," while the appraiser Beadman complimented: "Beautiful things."