If you've watched "Antiques Roadshow" - the popular show on public television that travels the country offering appraisals from experts, you might have wondered just how accurate they are.
In the case of a Dutch still-life painting, the show was way off, by a factor of 10.
Yesterday, a 12-by-181/2-inch painting from the 16th or 17th century featuring a dinner of a roasted bird, presumably goose or duck, with other side dishes, sold for $190,000 at John McInnis Auctioneers in Amesbury.
The painting was the first item up for sale, and the price quickly rose from about $20,000 from some fierce competition.
When the price went past the $150,000 mark, auctioneer John McInnis seemed a bit taken aback.
"My voice doesn't usually crack," McInnis quipped to the packed audience.
Next month, the painting will be featured in "Antiques Roadshow" when the show visits Atlanta. It will be appraised between $10,000 and $20,000.
The painting's new owner wouldn't reveal his name, and he quickly left the Main Street auction house yesterday, saying only: "Unfortunately, I'm unable to speak about it."
The painting found its way to McInnis' auction house because the person who found the painting "at a nondescript thrift shop" often visited the Amesbury auction house.
"The painting is consigned by a retired antique dealer that attended McInnis Auctions for many years," McInnis said.
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