Some exciting news for one of our stall holders here, Amanda Hughes (unit 17). Amanda discovered a sculpture at a car boot sale in Ardleigh for £90. The 14.5 inch bronze statue had an inscription which Amanda had reason to believe could possibly be a piece by Dame Elisabeth Frink, a celebrated sculptor who died in 1993.
Amanda appeared on BBC’s “Fake or Fortune?” to find out if the sculpture was indeed one of Frink’s Small Warrior collection. Created in the 1950s, there are just ten of these figures in existence, one of which was previously owned by David Bowie.
If indeed part of this collection, the sculpture could be worth up to £60,000, according to Philip Mould. However, if proven fake, it was valued at just £10.
Samples of Amanda’s sculpture and a confirmed Small Warrior were sent for testing. Amazingly, the results showed a very high possibility the two came from the same ingot. Further consultation with experts, plus the evidence presented, persuaded an assembled panel that Amanda had indeed found a genuine Frink Small Warrior!
It is now being looked after by a gallery while Amanda weighs up her options. After the verdict, Amanda said: “It’s wonderful. I’m just pleased that it’s safe. The reveal was quite the build-up and I thought it was going to go completely the other way.” Co-presenter Fiona Bruce said: “I loved learning more about the life and work of Elisabeth Frink. What a woman. She took the art world by storm at one of the most exciting times in the British art scene. It was great to put her in the spotlight again.”
Fellow presenter and art dealer Philip Mould added: “Elisabeth Frink is greatly collected and the market is continually moving. This is quite an emotive looking object so proving it’s unquestionably a Frink makes it worth a small fortune. I love that from now on, the sculpture is going to be known as Small Warrior: Colchester car boot sale. I imagine everyone is seeking out their local car boot after this.”
The episode aired on BBC One and is available to watch here on IPlayer now.
