Bargain Hunt host Christina Trevanion is stunned after learning an antique tribal mask could be worth MILLIONS
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Bargain Hunt host Christina Trevanion struggled to hide her shock after learning an antique mask could be worth millions of pounds.
The presenter appeared in a recent episode of the BBC daytime favourite, where she visited Leominster in Hertfordshire to learn about tribal art.
While learning about historic tribal masks, she was stunned to discover that one could make up to £2 million at auction.
In the episode, Christina met with expert Sam Hanbury-Maiden, who explained how difficult it is to determine the age and origin of tribal art.
‘Sam, this looks like a fascinating collection. But what do we mean by the term tribal art? ‘ she asked.
Bargain Hunt host Christina Trevanion struggled to hide her shock after learning an antique mask could be worth millions of pounds
The presenter appeared in a recent episode of the BBC daytime favourite, where she visited Leominster in Hertfordshire to learn about tribal art
He replied: ‘Essentially Christina we are talking about pieces that are of a non-European nature. Tribal art is a term that covers north and south America, Africa, certain parts of Asia.’
Sam then showed Christina some examples of tribal art, which included everyday items such as tools and jewellery, noting that they’re considered tribal art because ‘they are made by artisans.’
Pointing to an object, Christina asked: ‘I recognise this one as a typical boomerang but what’s going on here?’
Sam explained: ‘The middle one is a more unusual variation of a boomerang, this is called the Lil Lil, which is a rarer type of boomerang.
‘A lot of people recognise the boomerang, the more sort of U-shaped boomerang which is the famous one that returns.
‘But, these ones, they’re not necessarily returning boomerangs. They are used for hunting.
‘Some of them have very sharp edges, they can be used for cutting, others for digging.’
‘You don’t find those every day, so that’s what makes that one highly desirable for collectors.’
While learning about historic tribal masks, she was stunned to discover that one could make up to £2 million at auction
Christina then asked how much such a boomerang would make at auction, and he replied: ‘That one you’re looking at £800 to £1,000 maybe,’ while predicting another could be worth up to £1,500.
Turning to the face masks, Sam continued: ‘These masks are from about the 1400s to the 1460s. One of the biggest giveaways with the mask is actually not the front, it’s the back.’
‘You’re looking at signs of wear that essentially comes from being worn on the side of the face or on top of the head
‘This mask for example from the Yoruba Tribe has probably been painted several times as well. Looking with a magnifying glass you’ll probably be able to see the different layers of paint.
‘This Yoruba mask, maybe a bit more, maybe £600 something like that. The big money-makers are things like the fang masks from Gabon.’
‘Again highly copied today, but a fang mask with a good providence today, dating from the 19th century could be a couple of million pounds.’
Stunned by the value of one item, a shocked Christina gasped: ‘£2 million, wow.’
The episode saw experts Kate Bliss and Ochuko Okiri enlisted by the red and blue teams to find the best items to go up for sale at auction.
Bargain Hunt is available to watch on BBC iPlayer. It also airs weekdays at 12:15pm on BBC One.
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