Is this John Lennon’s piano?

As an admirer, I find myself captivated by the remarkable journey of Philip Mould, a man who has mastered the art of unveiling the truth behind the veil of illusion – be it through silver shoe buckles or legendary paintings. His life story is as intriguing as any work he’s authenticated, having grown up in the shadow of Liverpool’s musical revolution, yet finding his passion not in the Beatles but in the intricacies of silver hallmarks.

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Philip Mould, an art dealer and television presenter, has been labeled as debonair, knowledgeable, and an advocate of art. However, he’s not typically associated with the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. Despite his proximity to Liverpool during the Beatles’ heyday, his childhood interests lay more in collecting 18th-century silver shoe buckles rather than the Beatles themselves. He was more fascinated by silver hallmarks than the music of the Fab Four.

It’s reasonable to infer that when the creators of Mould’s popular TV show, Fake or Fortune?, where he co-hosts with Fiona Bruce, opted to incorporate rock music memorabilia along with their typical focus on potential artworks, Mould found himself venturing beyond his familiar territory.

Despite his reservations, he enthusiastically endorses the choice, noting the rapid expansion in popularity for amassing items, particularly musical instruments, belonging to renowned pop stars. “I’m continually amazed by the astronomical prices that emotionally charged music memorabilia fetches,” he says. “That’s why we decided to take a chance and see how it would go.

Art is an act of illusion in a way, an act of trickery

In their 12th series, Mould and Bruce investigate an intriguing artifact – a piano that was reportedly owned by the legendary John Lennon at one point. Their objective, as always, is to uncover its background – providing evidence of its origin and legitimacy.

Ever since the debut of “Fake or Fortune?” in 2011, this intriguing quest has kept art enthusiasts captivated. Having been an art dealer for many years and operating his own gallery on London’s Pall Mall, Mould published a book titled “Sleuth” in 2009, which detailed the hunt for missing artworks. This book caught the attention of a TV producer who recognized that Mould’s skills, as described in his book, could make an excellent television show.

I firmly believe that a significant part of the show’s appeal lies in its dramatic elements. Each artifact, whether authentic or counterfeit, holds immense potential – authenticity brings wealth, while inauthenticity can render it worthless. It’s this suspense and uncertainty that keeps roughly five million viewers hooked, according to Mould.

Television’s appeal often comes down to shows like Jeopardy, but there’s more to it – we’re talking about creativity itself, or art. Art is a form of deception, a trick of sorts, so let’s discuss the subtle distinctions that can transform a $50 item into a $500,000 one.

Establishing the authenticity of a painting or sculpture has resulted in many thrilling victories on Fake or Fortune, such as discoveries attributed to JMW Turner, John Constable, and Alberto Giacometti. However, one of the most heart-wrenching incidents occurred in 2014 when the team examined what could be a nude painting by Marc Chagall. The Chagall experts, who maintain an artist’s catalog known as raisonné, dismissed the artwork, seized it, and threatened to destroy it.

Mould finds the system infuriating, remarking it’s similar to how Roman emperors served as both judge and jury. He gestures with thumbs up, thumbs down motions akin to Nero’s. “They wield immense power,” he explains, “and at times, their decisions can be questionable, lacking proper consideration of the evidence. It’s maddening and leaves me feeling both angry and sad for the affected party.” Nevertheless, it’s this very tension that makes the spectacle compelling to watch.

2024-09-17 19:04

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