An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned tonight as an expert revealed the true value of a fat cat statue she had bought for just over £20.
Antiques expert Will Farmer said: "Sometimes you get things that just make you smile and when you look at this fat fellow here he's absolutely glorious, so where did he come from."
The owner said: "I bought him from a local auction house about four years ago for £21."
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Will said: "Well your little investment there was a bit of a shrewd buy, because what you're looking at is the work of a designer called Lisa Larson, who's one of the greats of Swedish design and hailed very high as a designer of the mid-century period."
Will then turned the cat upside down and pointed to a faint makers mark which explained what the cat was called.
Will said: "His name is the maxicat and he was actually designed as part of the zoo series, it's a high glazed stoneware and all hand painted.
"He was actually introduced in 1965 and he's a rare thing.
"I would imagine of all the things I've seen today this is the one thing I think most people will say I'll happily take him home."
Will then turned to valuation and said: "So your £21 investment it's all about new audiences and new buyers coming through.
"This is what people want, I know many people who'd be happy to pay you £1,000."
The owner gasped and said: "Oooo my goodness, he's sat on the floor at the side of the sofa."
Will suggested that she "elevated him and she said: "Yes, he's going to go right on my knee."
