Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2008 | Page 60

Hidden Treasures life ANTIQUES During my many years as a valuer of Antiques and works of Art, 18 of those spent with a leading bond street auction house, I have often reflected on the numerous occasions I discovered something truly exceptional in the most unlikely of locations! I have travelled extensively in the UK and have been in some of the grandest and some of the humblest properties in the land, I have valued internationally, as far afield as New York, Tokyo, Geneva and 60 Vienna and I have discovered, over the years, that things are rarely as they appear. Often, in my experience, the large and imposing country house can contain very little of rarity or value, the modest cottage, however, may contain something of great uniqueness and value. I remember clearly when Phillips Auctioneers decided to undertake a television advertising campaign in the late 1970’s. The response was extraordinary; we valuers worked flat out for weeks making house calls! We travelled the length and breadth of the country and many superb treasures were uncovered. I was called to a very modest, semi-detached house on the south coast. Before I entered, I didn’t expect to find anything of significance, but this turned out to be a veritable treasure house! Full of the most wonderful objects d’art including a collection of Japanese Sword fittings - Tsuba, Fuchi Kashira and Kozuka which sold for many thousands of pounds, the Japanese market being very strong during the 70’s. On another of these calls, a direct result of the power of the media, I visited a house in Windsor. A family had recently purchased the house, which had stood semi derelict for many years, and on clearing the garden found a large and ornate wooden carving. Having By Philip Hoare Photo below: Rare Maori figure pre Europian contact, discovered by Philip Hoare in an attic in Scotland in 1978. been carved in hardwood it was in remarkable condition. I identified it as an important Maori Canoe Prow, which sold for the extraordinary price of £35,000 - more than the client had paid for the house! As a professional valuer I regularly find that the piece I eventually appraise is not always the piece I am called in to look at. I once, on a general valuation of silver and furniture, spotted an ivory carving in a cabinet of curios. It was a gothic prayer book cover and was dated by the British Museum as being 13th/14th Century French, it sold for £25,000 and was bought by the British Museum for their collection. The client was absolutely amazed, as he had purchased it for sixpence at a jumble sale just after the war! The most exciting find I ever made was in Scotland. I was cataloguing the contents of a large house, which overlooked the Clyde, a most beautiful setting. In one of the attic rooms in a box of miscellanea, I found a magnificent Maori freestanding figure. The feeling of excitement was overwhelming; I truly had discovered a hidden treasure! This figure now resides in the Auckland Museum in New Zealand and is the finest figure of its kind in their collection. During my career as a valuer and consultant I have identified, researched and sourced so many wonderful pieces for clients. I have been blessed with a wonderful career. Please don’t forget my motto! ‘When in doubt, check it out!’ It is so easy to dismiss something without realising its true worth. Always get a professional valuation if you are thinking about parting with your heirlooms. Or the treasure in your attic will be hidden forever! Philip Hoare 07773 877 242 Email: [email protected] www.wightfrog.com/islandlife