Antiques Roadshow Guest Gets the Surprise of a Lifetime After Host Examines Her Old Family Heirloom

8. What Made the Statue so Special

Lark Mason began instantly pointing out that the value of vintage and antique goods sometimes resides in the details. "It's fantastic. This is truly... sorry, I'm a bit worked up," Mason added. He then started pointing out the minute detail and workmanship included into the monument, "this is among the finest examples of Chinese art that we have seen on the Roadshow. The carving is beautiful. The workmanship is stunning." The marble was of the best quality, hence whomever had carved it was quite gifted since they created precise muscles on the lion's back and all around the rest of the work. Mason's keen eye would have found the extraordinary workmanship that distinguishes this monument. The marble itself was of great grade since the best materials were usually saved for the most significant pieces. The lion's musculature's complex carving revealed not only talent but also a great awareness of anatomy and a degree of artistic aptitude rare even among skilled artisans. From the lion's mane's curvature to the soft textures of its paws, every element spoke of hours of labor at the height of an artist's capacity. One important clue of the actual age and value of the monument was this degree of craftsmanship and accuracy.