SakshiLeo The Lion
The scenario was extremely interesting, whereas Mason looked all excited, the lady did not seem a bit enthusiastic about the statue. Having it around since childhood, the lady and her brother considered it as a family. They used to call him “Leo The Lion.” Unaware of its importance, they would play with it as if it is a toy. Along with that, they would don the statue with dresses and stuff its mouth with marbles. By now, the interest of Mason had peaked by multiple times. He knew what exactly was that, but he wanted to know what this family knew about it who had been possessing the piece of art for nearly a century.
Biography
Lark E. Mason is a proficient researcher who has been in the business for more than decades. To be precise he has acquired expertise in Chinese antiques. Along with that, he has also worked in the New York School of Interior Design as a design teacher. But what earned him the fame was his stint at Sotheby’s. Now the question was among all the antiques out there what was so special in that lion statue that captured the interest of this highly renowned researcher.
Work Experience
Mason remained with New York’s Sotheby’s Chinese Works of Art Department for almost a quarter of the century. There he ultimately got promoted as the senior vice president. He put in his papers in 2003 to follow to start his own venture.
At A Stretch
Not many months passed by when he founded his own company named iGavelauctions.com. However, he continued working as an adjunct professor for New York University. He got really popular after making an entry into Antique Roadshow. And today he was going to uncover a big truth.
Gaining Knowledge
The lady never considered the lion statue valuable until one of her family friends convinced her that it does hold a value. The friend having scanty knowledge of Chinese art was not sure about the originality of the statue although he guessed it to be a belonging of the Ming Dynasty. And for that reason, the statue did hold some worth. It was indeed a shot in the dark. However, the value part was absolutely right but the belongingness part was all wrong. The statue did have a history that was going to be revealed to this ignorant world only to wipe the floors off their feet.
Least Turns Best
“Never judge a book by its cover” this proverb is best suited to Antiques Roadshow. There have been numerous times in the show when the least worthy looking antiques turned out to be the star of the show. It is amazing how an object lying in the lofts unnoticed, uncared changes the faith of their owner when their time arrives. Was that the case going to be the same with the “lion statue?”