• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Jaw-dropping moment Antique Roadshow item 'with absolutely no function' is valued at $1,250,000 due to its history

Home> Film & TV> News

Updated 12:06 20 Dec 2024 GMTPublished 12:02 20 Dec 2024 GMT

Jaw-dropping moment Antique Roadshow item 'with absolutely no function' is valued at $1,250,000 due to its history

Viewers were left shocked by the Antiques Roadshow evaluation

Callum Jones

Callum Jones

An Antique Roadshow item 'with absolutely no function' was valued at $1,250,000 because of its impressive history.

The popular BBC show has captivated viewers across the pond in the US, with many amazed at the money some folks are obtaining for some of their old items.

And many were left stunned after an Army reserve squadron brought in a rare ornament, not expecting it to be worth much.

The jaw-dropping moment came while the show was filming at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands, in 2017.

The ornament, which is shaped similarly to a stem of flowers, was looked at by Antique Roadshow's jewelry expert Geoffrey Munn.

Advert

The expert ended up giving the object an evaluation of around £1 million ($1,250,000).

"To make a judgment of that enormity is a tricky thing to do so I'm not going to pretend it wasn't pressurised," he said.

"This was a sensation beyond our wildest dreams really - this is a towering masterpiece from Faberge.

"It's what we call an 'object of fantasy' because it has absolutely no function whatsoever except to be a source of pleasure - and it is...

Advert

"It is the rarest, most poetic manifestation of Faberge's work that one could ever hope to see."

The ornament was valued unexpectedly high (BBC)
The ornament was valued unexpectedly high (BBC)

Dan Bansal observed the evaluation, stating Munn was amazed the minute he laid eyes on the ornament.

"The expert said it's probably the second time he's ever done that type of valuation," he told the Express & Star.

Advert

"I think he was reluctant to say £1 million [$1,250,000] and nervous to say it was worth that much."

It was Colonel Stamford Cartwright who took the valuable item into the Antiques Roadshow on behalf of the B Squadron The Royal Yeomanry.

And as you'd probably expect, he was overwhelmed with the valuation.

It really was a true jaw-dropping Antiques Roadshow moment (BBC)
It really was a true jaw-dropping Antiques Roadshow moment (BBC)

Advert

"Because you grew up with it you tend to treat it as part of the furniture. The regiment has got some huge silver pieces, which absolutely tower over this little thing," he said.

The ornament was gifted to the squadron in 1904 by Georgina, Countess of Dudley, who was the wife of the second in command of the regiment, Lord Dudley.

"It reminds them not only of the sacrifice of fallen comrades but also that there is a continuation... It forms a bond for comrades right the way through from the 1900s," Col Cartwright added.

After a clip of the incredible moment was shared on YouTube, social media users shared their thoughts.

Advert

One wrote: "One of the rare times on Antiques Roadshow where I think that is LOOKS worth the price! Such a masterpiece."

Another added: "The fact the refraction of the stem in water is so realistic is incredible."

While a third commented: "I honestly thought they'd brought the flower out in a glass vase & water for display purposes. Extraordinary."

Talk about an unexpected event!

Featured Image Credit: BBC

Topics: BBC, Film and TV

Callum Jones
Callum Jones

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
15 hours ago
a day ago
  • 8 hours ago

    Netflix series with 98% RT score can be binged in a weekend as fans 'still mad' over cancellation

    Fans say they were 'pinned to the TV' watching the show

    Film & TV
  • 15 hours ago

    Quentin Tarantino finally explains why he decided to cancel his 10th and 'final' movie

    The film was canceled last year

    Film & TV
  • a day ago

    Netflix viewers have just two weeks to watch 'underrated comedy' before it's cut

    Netflix subscribers insist that more people need to watch this 2011 comedy

    Film & TV
  • a day ago

    Stephen King hailed 93% Netflix mini-series with best jump scare ever binged for 116 million hours

    It features a star-studded cast

    Film & TV
  • Antiques Roadshow expert refuses to value disturbing item due to its horrific past
  • ‘Mystery' item couldn’t be valued after Antiques Roadshow expert revealed its dark and tragic past
  • Pawn Stars Rick Harrison refuses to buy creepy item due to its chilling history
  • ‘Jaw-dropping’ doc branded ‘most chaotic watch since Tiger King’ is available to stream on Netflix right now