The massively popular BBC's antiques show uncovered a very significant and historical item which has been valued at more than £1 million!
The Antiques Roadshow has uncovered an item which has been valued at more than £1 million! The Faberge ornament could be one of the most important finds in the BBC1 show's history.
Two soldiers presented the rare brooch to Roadshow expert Geoffrey Munn. According to the Mirror the brooch has been described as 'one of the most significant jewellery finds in 40 years of Antiques Roadshow history'.
Geoffrey also revealed that the Queen owns a similar Faberge item. As the antiques expert announced the valuation, onlookers gasped – understandably! How often do you see the Roadshow hopefuls receiving news that their item is worth over £1 million?
The valuation took place at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands on Wednesday and will be screened later this year on BBC1.
Geoffrey said: "The flower is only about 4in high, but too big and heavy to be a brooch and is more like an ornament. Apparently the Queen has one very similar. The expert said there was also one sold at auction recently, less elaborate then this one, that went for around £600,000. But this one is more detailed and a so would fetch a higher price."
He added: "They were a little reluctant to value it in seven figures as so many people watch the show he feared he would look stupid. He thought it could even make somewhere between £1.2 to 1.4 million."
Dan Basal, a builder from Hagley, observed the valuation and spoke to the Star and the Express about what he saw. He said: "Two soldiers in full uniform brought it to be valued from their regiment. I think it was awarded to the regiment after the horrors of the Boer War. It came in a beautiful presentation box. The expert said it was very rare and made by Faberge, same people who make the eggs, which I think pushed the price up."
Dan added: "I think the soldiers had an idea that another flower had sold for a lot of money so they didn't seemed too shocked when he told them the valuation price. They were very calm about it but the crowd gathered around were shocked. The expert said it's probably the second time he's ever done that type of valuation."
The Antiques Roadshow team are currently filming for its 40th anniversary series. The show was first broadcast on 1979, although its pilot was made in 1977, and has been popular ever since.
