Antiques Roadshow

INTERVIEWER

Ellie, tell me a little bit about what you learned about your painting today.

GUEST

Well, let's see. I learned where it was painted, in New Mexico, probably in the '20s. This man studied in France, in Europe, with three friends. And they all painted mostly Indians, the western life. And the frame is carved, more or less, to go with the painting. She didn't think he carved it, but they tried to pick up the western theme of the Indians with this. And these are Indian symbols on the frame.

INTERVIEWER

Tell me a little bit about what Betty Krulik said about the value.

GUEST

Very good. Lots of money, $75,000. We thought it was around $35,000. So it's a big jump. It's a $45,000 jump. $40,000 anyway.

INTERVIEWER

I hear your family is interested in collecting these kinds of paintings.

GUEST

Well, my mother-in-law collected this, and she collected Indian baskets throughout California. She would go from one end of the United States to the other and buy Indian baskets for a dollar, or two dollars. So she had quite a collection, and she donated them to the Oakland Museum, most of them.

INTERVIEWER

How did you find this painting?

GUEST

She had bought it, I think, after she got married. They had enough money to buy it, and I think they bought it for around $300.

INTERVIEWER

How do you have it displayed now?

GUEST

Well, it's in our living room, nothing special, you know.

INTERVIEWER

Do you have any plans for the painting after today?

GUEST

Go right back on the wall. And eventually go to family. Keep it in the family, and keep it insured.