A seemingly ordinary painting that spent years hanging above a grandmother's bed turned out to be a priceless treasure, leaving its owner in stunned tears during a memorable episode of the popular television program, Antiques Roadshow. The artwork, long cherished for its sentimental value, was identified as an original by the celebrated 19th-century American artist Henry Farny, whose works now sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
From Bedroom Wall to Priceless Art
The story began when the guest brought the painting to the US edition of Antiques Roadshow in 2018. She explained that the artwork had entered her family in the 1940s, first acquired by her great-grandfather. For decades, it served as a simple decorative piece above her grandmother's bed, its true worth completely unrecognized. After her grandmother passed away, the painting was passed down to her.
In a relatable moment, the owner shared that she once considered taking the painting with her to college. While preparing it for the move, she noticed a dead mosquito trapped behind the glass. "I took it out to the front yard and I opened it up to get the mosquito out," she told appraiser Meredith Hilferty. The moment she opened it, however, she was startled. "It kind of scared me a little… I closed it back up immediately, because it looked like it might be real." That fleeting instinct was the first clue that this was no ordinary print.
The Stunning Revelation: A Henry Farny Original
Appraiser Meredith Hilferty confirmed the owner's suspicion. The painting, depicting Native Americans on horseback, was an authentic work by Henry Farny. Hilferty explained that Farny, born in France but raised in Pennsylvania, developed a deep fascination with Indigenous cultures after forming relationships with the Seneca people. This connection defined his artistic career.
The painting was created during Farny's most prolific period, which began around 1890. Hilferty noted that the composition—a dense group of figures—made this particular piece especially desirable to collectors. The owner had also discovered a small circle beneath Farny's signature, a cipher referencing the name "Long Boots," which was given to him by the Sioux tribe who adopted him. This detail further cemented the painting's authenticity.
A Valuation That Brought Tears
The emotional climax of the segment came with the valuation. The painting had been appraised twice before—once in 1998 for $200 and again in 2004 for $250. Hilferty revealed that these figures were a drastic undervaluation. She estimated the painting's auction value at between $200,000 and $300,000.
The owner's reaction was immediate and visceral. Overwhelmed, she burst into tears, exclaiming, "Oh, my God. That's so much! I don't even know what to say." In a moment of levity, she joked, "Should I have left the mosquito in the back?" Hilferty reassured her that removing the insect was the right move, as it could have damaged the artwork over time.
Viewers were deeply moved by the authentic display of emotion, noting that her shock was intertwined with memories of her grandmother. The clip became one of the show's most beloved appraisals. The owner later stated she would now be extra careful, keeping the valuable artwork safe from insects and her dog.
Who Was Artist Henry Farny?
Henry Farny was a painter and illustrator renowned for his detailed and respectful portrayals of Native American life. After working as an engraver in New York and studying art in Europe, he embarked on several journeys along the Missouri River in the 1880s. He sketched, photographed, and collected artifacts, building a vast reference library in his Cincinnati studio.
More than 100 of his works were inspired by these Western travels. His famous paintings include Ration Day at Standing Rock Agency and The Song of the Talking Wire. President Theodore Roosevelt once commended Farny, stating he was "preserving for future generations phases of American history that are rapidly passing away." Farny died in 1916, but over a century later, his work continues to captivate, turning a family keepsake into a life-changing discovery.
