The first prerequisite in appreciating a work of art, one would imagine, is being able to see it – particularly when the art-work in question is valued at £11.2 million.

Not so, says David Lloyd, the former tennis champion turned entrepreneur who has just paid a seven-figure sum for an art collection that is impossible to see with the naked eye. However, look closer with the aid of a strong magnifying glass, and Mr Lloyd assures us that the 70 pieces he has acquired by Willard Wigan, the micro sculpture artist, are miniature masterpieces.

They include, apparently, a Scottie dog created on a grain of sand, a polar bear on a grain of sugar and Prince Charles on a cocktail stick. The image of Henry VIII, with his wives, inside the eye of a needle is a particular favourite, he said.

So small are the pieces that Mr Wigan must steady his heartbeat and descend into a meditative state in order to complete the works. He uses an eyelash as a paintbrush.

“The guy is a genius and he deserves to be well paid. What he does is absolutely amazing, and he deserves exposure as a world figure.”

Mr Lloyd, who made his money with his chain of fitness clubs, bought the collection six months ago for an undisclosed, albeit “substantial” sum. He has just had the collection valued at £11.2 million.

Mr Wigan, 50, a former lock assembler who is dyslexic, specialises in microscopic sculptures on pin heads and in the eyes of needles. He agreed the deal with Mr Lloyd on the condition that his creations would still be able to be viewed by the public. They will be displayed in specially designed magnified cases, at a location which will be disclosed next week. Mr Wigan said: “I feel honoured and privileged at the moment. I’ve been working a long time and all the hard work has paid off.”

The sculptures can take about 16 hours a day over four weeks to complete and are crafted using a specially adapted chisel and magnifying equipment.

Great and small

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on a needle

The World Cup crafted from a tiny spec of gold

The world’s smallest leprechaun on a pin head

The Earl and Countess of Wessex carved on to a pair of matches

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