Antiques Roadshow professional floored by ‘probably the most beautiful gadgets in present’s historical past’ value a life-changing sum – gasping ‘that is a factor of marvel!’
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An Antiques Roadshow expert was left floored by one of the most unique and valuable items in the show’s history.
During an episode earlier this month, valuer Cristian Beadman was left in awe at one guest’s precious item that ‘glistened in the sun’.
The BBC show, which was presented from Thirlestane Castle, Scotland saw one hopeful bring a small music box to be appraised by the team of experts.
And Cristian was delighted to look over the heirloom, telling the guest: ‘This is certainly one of the most exquisite things I’ve ever seen on the Antiques Roadshow in my 10 years. Glistening in the sun, like a jewel.’
The interested antique valuer then asked the man to reveal what had initially drawn him to the small box and he was told that the guest was an avid collector of music boxes.
He went on to tell the expert that the item was a Swiss singing bird automaton box from more than 150 years ago.
An Antiques Roadshow expert was left floored by one of the most expensive items in the show’s history which was brought in by an avid Swiss box collector
The guest revealed to valuer Cristian Beadman that the item was a Swiss singing bird automaton box from more than 150 years ago
Cristian was delighted to look over the heirloom, telling the guest: ‘This is certainly one of the most ‘exquisite things I’ve ever seen on the Antiques Roadshow in my 10 years. Glistening in the sun, like a jewel.’
He explained it had been made in the early 19th century by the famous Rochat brothers, who made hundreds of the impressive little music boxes.
And Cristian’s delight didn’t end there as he found out that the collector had brought along the music box’s original carrying case.
Barely containing his excitement, he eagerly asked the guest if he could see how it worked.
The guest was happy to oblige and pulled down a small lever on the box, which concealed a colourful 3D bird which began to open its mouth and flap its wings while pretty chirping sounds played.
And it wasn’t just the expert who was left impressed, as the crowds gasped and cooed over the delightful antique.
One woman from the crowd could be heard saying ‘Oh my gosh’ before Cristian gushed: ‘Utterly exquisite, utterly exquisite’.
He then told the gathered crowds that the item was almost 200 years old and was still in almost perfect condition.
He said: ‘It hasn’t got a feather out of place. There isn’t a chip on this box. This one, I can see is made of Hawksbill Turtle shell.
The guest explained the box had been made in the early 19th century by the famous Rochat brothers who made hundred of the impressive little music boxes
The guest confessed that he had been told by an auctioneer at the time it was one of the best they had ever sold and had cost him £9,000 when he purchased it almost 20 years ago
Cristian told the guest that his purchase was a good investment because the Swiss singing box would likely now fetch up to £40,000 at auction
‘It’s been protected since the 1970s, but this is of course much older.’
And the box was full of intricate details, including a tiny enamel painting of a Alpine scene with a gold frame around it.
The guest confessed that he had been told by an auctioneer at the time it was one of the best they had ever sold and had cost him £9,000 when he purchased it almost 20 years ago.
Cristian then revealed that the guest was wise to hang on to the amazing music box and that Swiss boxes have continued to go up in price.
He told the man: ‘Even though it seems like a lot of money to have spent nearly 20 years ago, funnily enough, that was a good investment.
‘I think that you could realistically expect that, best example possibly ever to come on the market, to go in at something between £20,0000 to £40,000.’
Despite the staggering amount the box was worth, the impressed guest said he wouldn’t be selling it.
He told the valuer: ‘It’ll get passed through my family because they love it. It’s not just the money, it’s quite special to me .’
Before the expert responded wistfully: ‘I’ll never see one of those again, that’s a thing of wonder, thank you so much.’
This is not the first time an item on Antiques Roadshow has fetched an eye-watering sum. Last week, a guest was left speechless when she discovered the incredible value of her £18 painting she had almost donated to charity
The expert revealed her painting would now be worth fetch between £3,000 to £5,000.’
This is not the first time an item on Antiques Roadshow has fetched an eye-watering sum.
Last week, a guest was left speechless when she discovered the incredible value of her £18 painting she had almost donated to charity.
The expert was taken aback by the unexpected discovery as he pointed out: ‘So of all the paintings I was not expecting to see here at Cromford Mills in Derbyshire, is a painting by an artist from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Pili Pili Mulongoy.’
Disclosing the price she paid, the guest revealed: ‘I think I paid about £18 for it, it was only about six years ago.’
‘I had my eye on a print in this bundle of paintings and, as I say, I donated some to a local charity shop on the way home because I didn’t want them all.’
Pressing on, the expert said: ‘But you kept this one crucially. Okay, well was it £18 well spent?’
‘To be honest, if this were to go under the hammer today, I wouldn’t be surprised to see it fetch between £3,000 to £5,000.’
The crowd gasped at the expert’s shocking revelation and the owner exclaimed ‘No!’ in disbelief.
