Antiques Roadshow - Renaissance Religious Panel

[Mrsspagnoli57]

Just seen tonight's Antiques Roadshow. Was anyone else as mystified as me and Mr S with the explanation given by the gentleman who brought in the religious panel of the Virgin, Jesus, Joseph and John the Baptist as to how he got it? He was very vague and his 'it was in the porch of a church and open to the elements so the Priest 'gave' me it' was rather odd. If, as the expert believed, it was a Renaissance piece what Priest would have given it away? It was a beautiful piece and surely church property? Very strange indeed. The chap was very genuine and appeared to be honest and upstanding but unfortunately his explanation was open to interpretation because it was so cagey.

[hc4361]

I thought it odd, too, and hope he has either returned it to the church or made a hefty donation.

Same as the Liverpool racecourse folio - that belongs to the Liverpool Racecourse, in my mind.

[HowardKennitby]

I didn't see it but it seems to me that someone would have to be very thick to take stolen goods on to that show.

[granny grump]

Yes Mrs S that is exactly what we thought - very strange - will he give anything to the church I wonder

[islasmum]

Was it worth much? I only watched about the first 20 minutes or so tonight, so missed out seeing that item.

[FredPuli43]

The priest wouldn't have known it was a Renaissance piece. It could as well have been some Victorian piece done in that style. And it was in fairly poor condition, suggesting neglect, which fits the account given. As it was, it took the expert eye of a specialist to detect the one tell- tale sign of authenticity, the tiny bit of gilding in one minute part of the picture. As authenticated,it was worth in the £20k to £30k bracket

[woofgang]

But if the racecourse rep(s) sold it, chucked it or gave it away, even in ignorance of what it is, then the owner has title to it no matter what your mind says.

In an earlier series, there was a vestment chest which the owner had been given by a church as they just wanted rid, again it had sat outside the church exposed to the weather and not valued.

[kloofnek]

Yes,I wondered how a priest just "gave me it" too.But if it was stolen,surely he would not have gone on tv with it...unless...he got it many years ago (i can`t remember when or if he said)...and so he would think he would be "safe".But surely if he did steal it,it would be on his conscience,

[netibiza]

Was there a black expert wearing a trilby hat, if so that's my adopted Bro Ronnie Archer-Morgan, I keep missing it!

[sandyRoe]

I remember a programme where a woman brought in a valuable diamond broach she'd found behind paneling in her house. You could imagine the time it was lost. Some servant probably went to prison for stealing it, or was, at least, dismissed without a 'character'.

[kloofnek]

How true is the saying"if walls could talk".