In a recent episode of the popular ZDF show "Bares für Rares," host Horst Lichter and expert Colmar Schulte-Goltz found themselves in a puzzling situation as they examined a curious object presented by seller Monica and her daughter-in-law Nicole. The item, which resembled a bristly creature, sparked a lively discussion about its true identity.
As Lichter touched the peculiar object, he quipped, "Sollen wir es mal füttern?" (Should we feed it?), highlighting the confusion surrounding the item. Schulte-Goltz, intrigued, encouraged Lichter to explore further, leading to the revelation that the object was, in fact, a hedgehog sculpture created by Cologne artist Victor Bonato. The artwork, titled "Cloning is possible," was a signed piece from 1991.
Initially, Monica expressed a desire to sell the piece for 100 euros, but Schulte-Goltz estimated its value to be between 300 and 350 euros. The bidding heated up, ultimately culminating in dealer Wolfgang Pauritsch purchasing the artwork for an impressive 450 euros, proclaiming, "Das ist Kunst, die muss man verstehen" (That's art, you have to understand it).
In addition to the hedgehog sculpture, the episode featured other intriguing items, including a Jugendstil beer tapping system from Northern Germany, dating from 1900 to 1910, which was valued at 180 to 240 euros. This piece also found a new home when David Suppes bought it for 200 euros.
Another highlight was a stunning Blancpain gold and diamond jewelry watch from 1950, valued at 1,700 to 2,000 euros. Suppes, who was on a roll that day, snagged the watch for 2,300 euros. The excitement continued with two EA 104 designer chairs by Charles and Ray Eames from the 1980s, estimated at 800 to 1,000 euros, which Jan Cizek purchased for 1,000 euros.
Meanwhile, a diamond and emerald brooch from the 1970s, estimated at 600 to 800 euros, also caught the eye of the dealers. Susanne Steiger ultimately secured the brooch for 1,100 euros after a competitive bidding war against Pauritsch.
Another fascinating item featured in the show was a knight-shaped mini-bar from the 1960s, which Markus Hartkopf brought to sell. Hartkopf, a waiter from Cologne, inherited the mini-bar from his uncle and hoped to raise 100 to 150 euros to fund a year of waffle-making at a hospice where his uncle had stayed.
Expert Detlev Kümmel estimated the mini-bar's value at 150 to 180 euros. The bidding began at 30 euros, and after some back and forth, Hartkopf and dealer Christian Vechtel agreed on a price of 120 euros, ensuring that there would be plenty of waffles to go around.
In a lighter moment, Lichter and expert Heide Rezepa-Zabel engaged in a friendly debate over the age of a colorful bracelet brought in by sellers Marius and Karl from Dortmund. Lichter insisted it was from the 1970s, while Rezepa-Zabel argued it belonged to the 1960s. The bracelet, designed in their workshop, featured 585 gold and various gemstones, including moonstone and chrysoprase.
Although Lichter was adamant about his assessment, the sellers confirmed that it was indeed crafted in the early 1970s. The desired price was set at 8,000 euros, but due to its lack of wearability, Rezepa-Zabel estimated its value at 4,700 to 5,000 euros. In the end, Susanne Steiger offered 5,000 euros, and Daniel Meyer raised the bid to 5,300 euros, concluding the sale.
Throughout the episode, the dynamics between the dealers, the sellers, and the experts provided an entertaining backdrop to the unfolding drama of the auction. The varying opinions on the items' values led to lively discussions and spirited bidding, showcasing the excitement that "Bares für Rares" brings to viewers.
In a world where collectibles can often fetch surprising prices, this episode illustrated the joy of discovery and the unexpected connections that can arise from a simple act of selling or buying. Each item carried its own story, and the interactions between the participants brought those stories to life, making for a memorable viewing experience.
