A life-size pig is on the expert table at “Bares for Rares”. Not a real one, it’s more like a footstool in the shape of a pig. But in its dimensions quite remarkable. The animal belongs to Raymond Becker. The 59-year-old from Dortmund no longer has room for the cattle in his apartment, so he wants to get rid of them.
Expert Sven Deutschmanek has a lot to say about the animal footstool. It was made by Dimitri Omersa, the former Yugoslavian naval officer who emigrated to England with his wife in 1955 and took over a leather company there, which initially produced pigs and later also elephants, rhinos and kangaroos. It is said to be an early example, made in the late 1950s or early 1960s.
Becker would like 400 to 500 euros for the pig. Sven Deutschmanek thinks that’s a bit exaggerated: He estimates the value at between 300 and 350 euros in view of the poor condition.
Before entering the trading room, Raymond Becker lowers his expectations and defines 100 euros as the pain threshold. But things are going better than expected. Lisa Nüdling is fascinated when she examines the pig: “Oooh, great!”. She strokes it almost tenderly and checks the condition of the animal.
Christian Vechtel goes directly into the auction with 200 euros. Since almost everyone present is bidding, the price quickly rises. Nüdling turns out to be particularly interested. “Lisa needs a lucky pig,” Vechtel comments on her bids. The persistence pays off: the dealer finally gets the bid for a whopping 650 euros – around twice the estimated value and well above the desired price.
“Thanks for the pig,” calls Lisa Nüdling after the seller. Now she is a proud pet owner.
Source: “Bares for Rares” in the ZDF media library
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