Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest used a $15 sculpture as doorstop, then she found out its real value (marketrealist.com)
From Doorstop to Dazzling Discovery: $15 Garage Sale Find Valued at Thousands on ‘Antiques Roadshow’
On the popular PBS series “Antiques Roadshow,” tales of everyday items turning into hidden treasures are common, but few are as startling as a recent appraisal that saw a humble doorstop transform into a valuable work of art. A guest, whose family had used a bronze sculpture as a doorstop for years, received a jaw-dropping valuation that left both her and the expert astonished.
The sculpture, a $15-$20 garage sale or flea market find by her grandmother, was initially appreciated for its aesthetic appeal, particularly its connection to Greek and Roman mythology, which the guest and her family enjoyed. Little did they know, this utilitarian object held a secret far beyond its practical use.
“She got it for $15-$20 probably, and she got it because my sister, Porsche, my dad, and I all like Greek and Roman mythology, and she just saw it, and that’s pretty much the only reason she got it,” the guest shared with expert Ernest DuMouchelle.
DuMouchelle quickly identified the piece as a rather rare Pierre-Eugène-Emile Hébert Bronze sculpture. The guest admitted her family had tried to research “Emile Hébert” after spotting a signature, but came up short. DuMouchelle clarified the confusion, explaining that the artist’s full name, Pierre-Eugène-Emile Hébert, was crucial for finding information on the well-listed Neoclassical artist.
Delving into the specifics of the statue, DuMouchelle highlighted its unique construction. “What I like about the piece is that first of all it’s bronze, and it has the gold doré inlays on it, which are very, very nice,” he noted.
He further revealed that the piece was dated 1867 and bore a “GS” foundry mark, indicating it was cast by a gold medal-winning company. In fact, this particular sculpture won a prize at the prestigious Salon in Paris in 1867.
Before delivering the final appraisal, DuMouchelle advised the guest to have the piece professionally cleaned. Considering its provenance and the artist’s popularity, he estimated the bronze could easily fetch between $4,000 and $6,000 at auction.
The revelation left the guest speechless, her eyes widening in disbelief. After a moment, she blurted out the astonishing truth: “Oh, my gosh!
That’s a doorstop!” The expert, equally stunned, confirmed her words.
“You’d better put it up on a pedestal now,” DuMouchelle advised with a chuckle, urging the guest to treat her new-found treasure with the care it deserved. It was a classic “Antiques Roadshow” moment, proving once again that true value can often be found in the most unexpected places.