Pre-Columbian Style Mask
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APPRAISER:
John, when I saw you standing in line, I could tell the way you were embracing this piece that it was sort of special. Can you tell me the story behind it?
GUEST:
My wife bought it for me for Christmas.
APPRAISER:
How long ago was that?
GUEST:
About ten or 12 years ago.
APPRAISER:
Really? Now, did she have any information about it...
GUEST:
Well, no, she knew I wanted it. I was trying to buy it from a fellow, and he got it down in Mexico somewhere.
APPRAISER:
And do you know when he collected it?
GUEST:
About 1939 or something like that.
APPRAISER:
Well, what you probably didn't know is these stone masks were placed over the deceased's face in tombs throughout the pre-Columbian world, particularly in Mexico, and some of these masks have gone as high as a million dollars...
GUEST:
Oh, my gosh.
APPRAISER:
Both privately and at auction, they've gone for $450,000.
GUEST:
Oh, my gosh.
APPRAISER:
Now, what we look for in the masks is whether the features are exaggerated. We look at how the engraving is handled, how the mouth is carved, and the nose and the eyes. We look at the surface. And all of these things help us determine whether the piece is authentic. What do you think this piece is worth?
GUEST:
I have no idea... really.
APPRAISER:
Well, this is an object that was actually made for sale. It's a reproduction.
GUEST:
Is it?
APPRAISER:
But it's a piece that is very interesting.
GUEST:
Does it have any value?
APPRAISER:
Yes, sir, it does. A piece like this is going to be worth between $100 and $200.
GUEST:
Oh.
APPRAISER:
So, I'm sorry you didn't hit the big home run, but it's still a piece-- because your wife gave it to you and it's Christmas, you can enjoy it...
GUEST:
She didn't pay that much for it.
APPRAISER:
Well, I'm glad she didn't.
Appraisal Details
Executive producer Marsha Bemko shares her tips for getting the most out of ANTIQUES ROADSHOW.
Value can change: The value of an item is dependent upon many things, including the condition of the object itself, trends in the market for that kind of object, and the location where the item will be sold. These are just some of the reasons why the answer to the question "What's it worth?" is so often "It depends."
Note the date: Take note of the date the appraisal was recorded. This information appears in the upper left corner of the page, with the label "Appraised On." Values change over time according to market forces, so the current value of the item could be higher, lower, or the same as when our expert first appraised it.
Context is key: Listen carefully. Most of our experts will give appraisal values in context. For example, you'll often hear them say what an item is worth "at auction," or "retail," or "for insurance purposes" (replacement value). Retail prices are different from wholesale prices. Often an auctioneer will talk about what she knows best: the auction market. A shop owner will usually talk about what he knows best: the retail price he'd place on the object in his shop. And though there are no hard and fast rules, an object's auction price can often be half its retail value; yet for other objects, an auction price could be higher than retail. As a rule, however, retail and insurance/replacement values are about the same.
Verbal approximations: The values given by the experts on ANTIQUES ROADSHOW are considered "verbal approximations of value." Technically, an "appraisal" is a legal document, generally for insurance purposes, written by a qualified expert and paid for by the owner of the item. An appraisal usually involves an extensive amount of research to establish authenticity, provenance, composition, method of construction, and other important attributes of a particular object.
Opinion of value: As with all appraisals, the verbal approximations of value given at ROADSHOW events are our experts' opinions formed from their knowledge of antiques and collectibles, market trends, and other factors. Although our valuations are based on research and experience, opinions can, and sometimes do, vary among experts.
Appraiser affiliations: Finally, the affiliation of the appraiser may have changed since the appraisal was recorded. To see current contact information for an appraiser in the ROADSHOW Archive, click on the link below the appraiser's picture. Our Appraiser Index also contains a complete list of active ROADSHOW appraisers and their contact details and biographies.
