Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest struggles to breathe after hearing the value of her husband’s memento (marketrealist.com)
A recent episode of “Antiques Roadshow” featured a truly breathtaking appraisal. A guest brought in a sculpture by Noah Purifoy, constructed from debris salvaged from the 1965 Watts riots. The piece, titled “66 Signs of Neon,” was gifted to her late husband, who was then the assistant director of the California Arts Commission.
The guest recounted the history of the artwork, explaining how Purifoy, deeply affected by the riots, collected the still-smoldering remnants of the devastation – metal, glass, and neon – to create a powerful statement about the violence and unrest. She had owned the piece for 50 years.
Appraiser Jason Preston provided context on Purifoy’s significance in the art world, noting that he was the first African American full-time student at what is now CalArts. Preston highlighted a recent, highly successful solo exhibition of Purifoy’s work at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Then came the moment of truth. Preston estimated the insurance value of the sculpture at a staggering $125,000.
The guest was visibly stunned, gasping for air and struggling to speak. “You’re kidding me!
Really?” she exclaimed, finally regaining her composure.
Even more surprising, she admitted the piece wasn’t insured at all. It’s safe to say this “Antiques Roadshow” guest received a very valuable history lesson, and a life-changing appraisal.