Not a very attractive piece.
1 Like
This episode was a repeat so I didn’t watch it but I don’t remember £70,000 from my previous viewing, so I’ve just watched the video on BBC iPlayer - in fact, the base was valued at £2,000 and the head at £4,000.
Starts at 2:12
The top and bottom part of the bird didn’t seem to match and it could fetch up to whopping £70,000 (AU$132,765) if the missing parts were located.
I watched a bit more and you’re right - £70,000 if the missing bits were found … 
1 Like
I remember reading about the Martin Brothers art pottery.
Those Wally Birds are highly collectible now and command a high price at auction if they are in good condition - they were all unique and handcrafted, so they have a rarity value.
Some of them were made as caricatures of famous public figures of the day, such as the Victorian politicians Gladstone and Disraeli. I think the Wally Bird which “resembles” Benjamin Disraeli sold at auction for over US $200,000 - that was quite a few years ago so I expect it will be worth more now - their value seems to have continued to increase over the years, so I guess it’s a good investment.
I think those Wally Birds look grotesque - so it didn’t surprise me to learn that the “Wally” who created them (Robert Wallace Martin) did his apprenticeship working on designs for the gargoyles and grotesques which adorn the Houses of Parliament.
1 Like