In Lancashire, a Victorian mahogany partners desk may seem a bit of an extravagant Christmas present, but the season finale of Antiques Roadshow (US) will prove that people have been gifted all sorts of expensive antiques in the past.
Produced by the non-commercial educational station WGBH, the PBS version of Antiques Roadshow loosely follows the format of the BBC series. As well as weekly visits to different US towns, the programme also has occasional ‘specials’, collating previous appraisals under a common theme. However, WGBH is unlikely to make a whole show devoted to, for example, antique balloon backed dining chairs . Executive Producer Marsha Bemko said:
“We like to do it in such a way so that it’s a little different.”
The 16th season of Antiques Roadshow ends on 17th December with a seasonal flourish, as the theme is items given as gifts. It seems that Americans favour fine art more highly than antique chests when it comes to present buying, as paintings will be a common feature of the show. They include a pop art masterpiece by Wayne Thiebaud and a watercolour by screen goddess Katharine Hepburn, which she gave to a theatre hand at a play she was appearing in. The most valuable piece of artwork, however, is a 1937 oil painting by Clyfford Still. Given as a housewarming gift in 1990, it is estimated to be worth around $500,000 – although other works by Styll have sold for millions.
From oil paintings to Victorian oak partners desks , Ribble Valley residents can find original gifts by popping in to their local antique dealer.