Antiques Roadshow guest can’t compose herself as she learns whopping value of painting she found abandoned in office cupboard

An Antiques Roadshow guest could hardly compose herself after finding out the whopping value of a painting she found abandoned in her office’s cupboard. 

The BBC daytime series travelled to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh so specialists could value an array of weird and wonderful items.

Among those experts was Grant Ford who met with a guest who brought in a vibrant painting to be examined. 

Exclaiming over its origins, he said: ‘From the sun-drenched gardens of Edinburgh to the sun-drenched streets of France

‘This vibrant oil on board with beautiful colour, is signed lower right D Bain 46.’

The BBC daytime series travelled to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh so specialists could value an array of weird and wonderful items. Expert Grant Ford is seen with the painting

‘And of course, it’s by the well-known Scottish 20th Century artist Donald Bain. Now, what’s its story?’

The owner then shared the paintings history and revealed that she had known the piece for ‘just over 20 years.’

She explained: ‘It used to hang in the offices of the company I worked in and in 2018, the offices underwent a major refurbishment and the painting was consigned to a cupboard.

‘I retired in November 2020 and my employers very kindly asked if there was anything I wanted and I said “If nobody wants the painting, could I possibly have it?” So that’s how it came to my possession.’

Impressed by the artwork, Ford asked: ‘What a lovely retirement present! And what do you really really love about it?’

The guest then responded: ‘I just love the colours and the sky’s so nice and blue and I don’t know – it’s summery, it’s bright, it’s cheerful.’

Ford then took the time to look into the history of the eye-catching piece and credited Scottish artist Donald Bain with its creation.

‘He studied under William York Macgregor [a prominent member of the Glasgow Boys collective] but his real influence was France. He loved Matisse and he loved Cezanne and you can definitely see that Cezanne colour.

Expert Grant Ford credited Scottish artist Donald Bain with its creation

The owner was stunned to learn the painting was worth £1,200

The Antiques Roadshow guest’s painting was signed by 20th Century Scottish artist Donald Bain

‘One of his great friendships was with John Duncan Fergusson who is a very well-known Scottish colourist, a very significant artist.

‘You can see in the palette of this picture, all the influence of his great friend. So absolutely lovely and in really gorgeous condition.’

When quizzed over if she thought the painting would be worth a big sum, she replied: ‘Truthfully no, my husband thinks it’s only worth about £50.’

Ford then suggested: ‘That sounds like he doesn’t like this picture.’

However, the owner said in contrast to her husband’s opinion: ‘No, he does, he has come to like it since it’s been hanging on the wall for a while.’

It was then time for the appraisal, with Ford concluding: ‘I think most people would love to own this Donald Bain and I think it’s a really commercial, vibrant, colourful example by him and it’s certainly worth at least £800 to £1,200.’

The guest pulled a face before laughing and saying: ‘That’s unbelievable.’

Ford then encouraged the owner to keep the painting because it would potentially increase in value: ‘It certainly is something to hang on to as I can see it going up.’ 

Looking ecstatic, the woman expressed her gratitude to the expert for his insight into the artwork.

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.