Serendipity
Some call it luck, others an eye for something of value. That’s how I make my living. I go round Jumble Sales, Fairs, Car Boot Sales, auctions, here in Edinburgh, but also to Glasgow, Durham or Aberdeen, or wherever I happen to be. The real bargain rarely escapes me. I pay the peanuts they ask, and make a killing on e-Bay. The really valuable pieces I buy, I collect for myself. I have a Laura Knight, an early Dubuffet, two unsigned Lowry among others.
Let me tell you about Cellini’s gold peacock. It was at a fair in Berwick-upon-Tweed. They were trying to raise money to repair the roof of a small church. It was sparsely attended, and the weather was not helpful. A small man with sleepy eyes and drooping whiskers attracted my attention and I walked towards his stall. EVRYTHING MUST GO was scribbled on a piece of hardboard, and there were but few items on offer. He greeted me with a grudging nod. I started rummaging in a big cardboard box. I picked a small ebony carving of an elephant. It felt nice to the touch. I immediately took a liking to it. How much? I asked. A quid? I picked on the question mark. Fifty pence, I said. He shrugs and I paid him, and slipped the carving into my pocket. There were some plastic toys, one or two moth-eaten cloth dolls. I lifted one and saw it. A peacock in what seemed to be gold-plated brass. I picked it up and was astounded by its weight. I took a closer look, and to my amazement saw that it was 24 carat gold. I tried to hide my surprise. In a matter of seconds it clicked. That was Cellini’s Gold Peacock no less. The fellow looked like he was going to drop off.
‘How much?’ I asked pretending disinterestedness.
‘Make me an offer,’ he said.
‘Look,’ I said, ‘I am not going to play dirty on you, it’s a lovely piece. Shall we say … eh … a tenner? Ten quid?’ He looked like he was considering my offer. Took the bird from me and looked at it, as if for the first time.’ He shook his head.
‘Nah. No can do. It’s a genuine Cellini, massive gold. I wouldn’t part with it for less than fifty grand.’
