A COLLECTOR who bought an embroidery from an art sale has discovered it’s worth much more than the few dollars she paid.
The rare item’s history dates back centuries and holds several unique features, including its size.
A collector was elated at the price evaluation for the textile she bought at an art sale[/caption]
The floral design and size of the piece stunned an Antiques Roadshow appraiser[/caption]
Expert appraiser Peter Pap was stunned by the embroidery’s beauty during a recent episode of Antiques Roadshow.
“This is a very pretty piece,” he told the collector.
The textile could be seen draped over a table with a silk-embroidered floral design.
It had been bought by the collector around 30 years ago at an art sale, and she said it was impossible to pass up the deal for the piece at only $10.
Little did she know that the expertly crafted textile was made during the 18th century in India, according to Pap.
“Most likely, it was made in Gujarat, which is in Western India, and that was the province of the Mughal Empire at that time,” the appraiser explained.
“We often refer to these as Mughal textiles.”
The Mughal Empire maintained reign over Western and Nothern India as far back as the 16th century until the mid-18th century, per The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
It was one of the most wealthy and long-lasting dynasties in the world.
TOP QUALITY
Pap continued that the pattern on the collector’s Mughal textile was a “classic medallion pattern” that included “a very curvilinear, flowing aspect.”
“There’s such delicacy to the way the designs are drawn and extremely fine stitching — probably the finest I’ve seen of its type,” he added.
While those qualities were stunning, Pap noted that what made the textile considerably valuable was that it was three separate pieces connected through seams to make it sizable.
“The piece is very large — it’s about 80 inches by 100 inches,” the appraiser emphasized.
“Most of the piece is in excellent condition.”
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NEAR-MINT CONDITION
There were only a few blemishes that could be found on the 18th-century textile — a slight discoloration, small holes, and a water stain, something Pap noted as common for a piece of that age.
That meant it wouldn’t impact its worth much, and Pap was confident that considering everything, the textile would still go at auction for tens of thousands of dollars.
“I would say that the value on this piece, conservatively, would be $15,000,” he told the collector.
She was floored by the evaluation.
“Well, color me happy!” she exclaimed.
Pap added that without the condition issues like the small holes or discoloration, it could’ve brought in around $25,000 to $30,000.
Still, the collector was thrilled with the “special” art sale find, a considerable return on her investment.
