Antiques Roadshow guest gobsmacked to learn treasured object isn’t what it seems – and it’s worth a lot

AN Antiques Roadshow guest was left gobsmacked to learn their treasured object was not what it seemed - and it was worth a lot.

On Sunday's edition of the BBC One show, expert Will Farmer met a couple who had brought in a colourful ceramic animal.

Explaining its origins, the male guest said: "It was always known in the family as Granny's ugly pig, my grandmother for 22 years was the stewardess at a working men's club.

"She was a formidable character, bright red hair and what Granny said, went."

But Will immediately had some news for them, saying: "I'm going to shatter years of family history…it's not a pig."

The pair were surprised and said they had always believed it was a pig because of its "curly tail".

LUCKY ITEM

Will explained: "He's actually a bulldog, he's created - and I'm sure you've spotted this of course - down here on his leg is a very clear signature of Louis Wain."

He added that Louis painted a lot of cats but also diversified out, and in 1914 he created a range of ceramic figures for a London retailer.

He said: "There was actually a pig in the collection but this isn't it. This is called Lucky Bully Bulldog.

"When they were made, each had a little paper label on the back of them with a little motto and his was 'I stick to you, if you stick to me'.

"You've stuck with him for a while now haven't you? And is he going to stick with you for a long time to come?"

The couple nodded in agreement and the lady said: "Our daughter in Australia has always liked him, so that's where it will end up."

Will replied: "Well that sounds perfect as he's certainly going to keep giving you luck, you're going to stick with him and at the moment that luck is worth between £800-1200."

Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays on BBC One and is available on BBC iPlayer.