Calder mobile stars in Antiques Roadshow season premiere

4 January 2011

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An Alexander Calder mobile was appraised at $400,000 to $1 million on Antiques Roadshow, the second highest valuation in the show's 15-year history.

(PBS)

The 2011 season of Antiques Roadshow on PBS started off on a high note in Miami Beach with a $1 million find, the second highest valuation in the popular TV show's 15-year history.

In Monday night's episode, decorative arts appraiser Christopher Kennedy was presented with a colorful mobile made by Alexander Calder about 1950.

The owner's mother had been given the piece by the artist himself after an exchange of gifts at a cocktail party.

Kennedy told the owner, "Alexander Calder essentially invented the art form known as a mobile And it became very iconic of 1950s modern art..."

He summed up his valuation with an estimate of $400,000 to $600,000 at auction for the piece.

Continuing, Kennedy explained to the surprised owner, "Right now, Alexander Calder's market is extremely hot, and in a good retail setting, it would not be at all inconceivable that this very small, wonderful piece of art could probably break $1 million."

Read more at PBS

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