Antiques Roadshow 2023 – Ebrington Square, Derry/Londonderry 1 – Broadcasting live from Ebrington Square in the historical city of Derry/Londonderry, situated in the scenic western region of Northern Ireland, the roadshow unfolds a world of hidden treasures and fascinating stories. Lennox Cato uncovers a breathtaking table crafted from a collection of valuable gifts once given by a Chinese emperor. Not to be outdone, Susan Rumfitt is captivated by the alluring beauty of a stunning amethyst pendant that instantly grabs her attention.
In a remarkable display of dedication, Ronnie Archer-Morgan encounters a passionate collector who has astonishingly gathered over one thousand intricately designed compact purses, each with its own unique backstory. Meanwhile, Gordon Foster is thrilled to get his hands on a long-lost trophy dedicated to the adrenaline-packed sport of hurling—a trophy that had slipped through the cracks of history for more than a hundred years.
The intrigue continues as Grant Ford is introduced to a one-of-a-kind painting, fascinatingly commissioned only after the depicted canine won top honors in a prestigious dog show. Equally engrossing is John Sandon’s discovery: a pair of plates that have miraculously survived the wear and tear of time, dating all the way back to the 18th century.
In a puzzling twist, Adam Schoon examines a mysterious paddle that has made an incredible journey from the far reaches of the Pacific Ocean to its current location. And to cap off the day’s discoveries, Fiona Bruce sheds light on the critical role Derry/Londonderry played in the longest campaign of World War II, namely the Battle of the Atlantic, unraveling the city’s connection to an important chapter in global history.
Antiques Roadshow 2023 – Ebrington Square, Derry/Londonderry 1
The roadshow comes from Ebrington Square in Derry/Londonderry in the west of Northern Ireland, where Lennox Cato discovers a table made from the gifts bestowed by a Chinese emperor, while a stunning amethyst pendant catches Susan Rumfitt’s eye.
Ronnie Archer-Morgan is amazed by a collector who’s amassed over one thousand stunning compact purses, and Gordon Foster gets his hands on a trophy for the sport of hurling that was forgotten for over a century.
Grant Ford gets to see a painting that was only commissioned after its subject won top prize in a dog show, and John Sandon is amazed to find a pair of plates that are remarkable survivors from the 18th century.
Adam Schoon is puzzled by a mysterious paddle that’s come all the way from the Pacific, and Fiona Bruce reveals the pivotal role played by Derry/Londonderry in the longest campaign of World War II, the Battle of the Atlantic.
A Table Fit for an Emperor
The Antiques Roadshow has uncovered many treasures over the years, but few with as fascinating a backstory as the Chinese imperial gift table brought in by a Derry resident. Expert Lennox Cato could hardly contain his excitement upon inspecting the exquisite wooden table inlaid with mother-of-pearl floral motifs.
At first glance, it appeared to be a typical late 19th century Chinese decorative piece. However, upon closer examination, Cato noticed a plaque affixed to the table’s underside. The plaque was engraved with Chinese characters detailing the table’s origin – it was one of several gifted by the Guangxu Emperor in the late 1800s to a British naval officer who had provided assistance during armed conflict.
Cato explained that during the late Qing dynasty, China was plagued by both internal rebellions and external threats from imperialist Western powers. The Guangxu Emperor, who ascended the throne as a child, relied heavily on the support of Western allies to maintain power. Gifting ornate items like this table was one way the Emperor showed appreciation to those who aided him militarily.
Few of these imperial gift tables have survived to the present day. The example presented in Derry not only benefitted from being gifted to a British officer who likely transported it home, but also from remaining with his descendants who recognized its importance. Cato estimated that at auction, the table could fetch between £15,000 and £25,000.
The owner was astounded, having picked it up at a local auction for just a few hundred pounds based solely on its decorative appeal. He never imagined it had such an incredible history at the highest echelons of Chinese imperial power. This discovery highlights why the Antiques Roadshow captivates both owners and audiences – the unknown origins and significance invested in family heirlooms and antique finds.
A Stunning Amethyst Pendant
Expert jewelry appraiser Susan Rumfitt is no stranger to handling precious gems, but she was left awe-struck by an amethyst pendant brought in by a visitor. At first glance, it was clear this was no ordinary pendant.
Set in ornate silver filigree, the centerpiece of the pendant was an enormous heart-shaped amethyst stone nearly 3 inches long. Rumfitt noted the superior clarity of the gem, which exhibited the signature vibrant purple hue amethyst is prized for. As she examined it under magnification, she determined it was of the highest gem quality – likely sourced from South America which produces some of the world’s finest amethysts.
Rumfitt explained that in jewelry history, the purple tones of amethyst have been associated with royalty and religion. It was considered a jewel worthy to adorn bishops and kings. This particular example was in a style popular in the late 19th century when bold gemstone jewelry was having a revival.
Turning the pendant over, Rumfitt identified the mark of Garrard – the royal jeweler with a history dating back to 1735. This added significant provenance. Garrard has created jewelry for royal families across Europe.
Based on the exceptional quality of the amethyst, the silverwork, and the maker’s mark, Rumfitt estimated the pendant’s value between £10,000 and £15,000. The owner was delighted, having picked it up at a car boot sale for just £5 based solely on her eye for beautiful design. Rumfitt declared enthusiastically that it was “an absolute bargain” for a royal caliber jewel. Discoveries like this are thrilling surprises that the Antiques Roadshow promises.
A Collection of Compact Purses
Vintage fashion often steals the show at the Antiques Roadshow, like the stunning collection of Art Deco compact purses presented to expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan. The owner had amassed over 1,000 decorative ladies’ compacts from the 1920s and 30s – one of the largest private collections Archer-Morgan had encountered.
Archer-Morgan marveled at the diversity of materials including bakelite, enamel, tortoiseshell, and tooled metal. Some were simple in design, others elaborately jeweled or enamel painted with exotic scenes. Each compact was exquisitely crafted as both a functional mirror for touch-ups and a fashion accessory.
The collection had outstanding examples from leading brands like Stratton, Elgin American, Evans, and Vanity Fair. Archer-Morgan pointed out compacts engraved with designs by top Art Deco artists like William Van Erp. Others folded out to reveal portraits of glamorous 1920s actresses like Gloria Swanson.
Beyond the endless visual appeal, Archer-Morgan explained how the history of compacts mirrors the changing role of women in the early 20th century. Carrying a compact indicated independence, confidence and financial means. Compacts were also an acceptable way for women to carry contraband like cigarettes or risque photos of Hollywood stars.
Valuing a collection this large was tricky, but based on top examples, Archer-Morgan estimated the lot at auction would fetch £15,000 to £20,000. He encouraged the owner to exhibit her compacts as wearable art encapsulating the style of their era. The Roadshow’s embrace of social history is what gives such items wider meaning.
An Early Hurling Trophy
For sports memorabilia expert Gordon Foster, few objects bring more excitement than discovering early examples of Ireland’s beloved sports. He was thrilled when a visitor presented a trophy cup for the sport of hurling dating from the 1880s.
The large silver cup was decorated with engraved shamrocks and imagery of the ancient sport which has been played for over 3,000 years according to archaeological evidence. Foster noted hallmarks showing it was assayed in Dublin and included the inscription “Shamrock Hurling Club 1887”.
Remarkably, this cup was the first piece of hurling memorabilia dating from before 1900 that Foster had ever encountered. Other awards only went back to the early 20th century. Foster explained that in the late 19th century, the sporting authorities standardized the rules of hurling which helped fuel its popularity. This cup was an early example of these newly organized competitions.
It also provided a tangible link to the history of Derry as a hurling stronghold in Ulster. The owner explained it had been found in an old barn on family land just outside the city. Hurling was an integral part of Derry’s heritage, but trophies and prizes from the 1800s have rarely survived.
Foster valued the cup at £10,000 to £15,000, saying it belonged in a museum. The owner was gobsmacked, figuring the old cup might fetch a couple hundred pounds at best. Foster believes this cup will rewrite the sporting record books for early hurling – a truly significant Irish treasure. The Roadshow’s connections to communities and their histories always takes center stage.
A Champion Showdog Painting
Fine art specialist Grant Ford is accustomed to paintings of nobility and wealth. But the oil painting brought in by a County Antrim woman portrayed an aristocrat of the canine world instead. The painting depicted a handsome grey dog of the Bedlington Terrier breed surrounded by hunting trophies.
Ford immediately noticed the artist’s signature – George Earl – a renowned 19th century animal painter. But even more significant was the inscription naming the dog as Champion Parbold Picador, the winner of the prestigious showdog trophy the Westminster Kennel Cup in 1869.
The owner explained painting was commissioned sometime after the dog won at Westminster. Earl was renowned for his dog portraits, especially of prizewinning showdogs representing newly standardized breeds. Ford explained how the 19th century saw dog breeding become a competitive endeavor alongside the development of dog shows and kennel clubs.
This painting was not only a fine example of Earl’s acclaimed talent for capturing canines, but also uniquely portrayed a major figure in early dog show history. Parbold Picador went down in history as the Best in Show winner at the second Westminster competition which kicked off the American showdog craze.
Ford valued the historic painting at £8,000 to £10,000. The owner was gobsmacked, having picked it up for a modest sum at a village antiques sale. She said her family always sensed the dog had an aristocratic bearing. Thanks to the Roadshow, its place in Victorian canine fame was revealed. It’s these personal connections that breathe extra life into historical treasures.
Remarkable 18th Century Plates
Ceramics expert John Sandon is accustomed to assessing rare antique china, but he was not prepared for the pair of 18th century plates brought in by a gentleman from Ballymoney. At first glance, nothing seemed remarkable about the floral decorated plates. But Sandon’s expert eye recognized telltale signs these were no ordinary decorative plates.
Examining them closely, Sandon noted several indicators of quality and rarity. Firstly, they were hand painted porcelain rather than mass produced earthenware. The cobalt blue underglaze and enamel colors were exceptionally vibrant for the age. Sandon identified the maker’s mark of pioneering Staffordshire pottery Royal Crown Derby – one of the earliest English porcelain houses, founded circa 1751.
Most striking was the delicate floraling around the rims. Sandon recognized this as tremblework – a coveted technique where paint is applied by hand with a trembling motion to create feathered blurring effects. Tremblework was extremely difficult and rarely seen on porcelain plates from this era.
Based on their rarity and exceptional condition as a surviving pair, Sandon valued the plates at £6,000 to £8,000. He speculated the floral patterns were possibly based on designs from the acclaimed naturalist and painter Georg Ehret. Sandon said it was miraculous for such examples to survive over two centuries. The additional meaning and history uncovered is what gives the Roadshow its reputation for surprises.
The owner was stunned. He had picked them up for a modest price at a house clearance sale. Sandon surmised they had likely been in the same family since first purchased in the 18th century – a hidden gem of British ceramic achievements. It’s discoveries like this that speak to the exceptional cultural heritage found in ordinary family possessions.
A Mysterious Oceanic Paddle
The Antiques Roadshow often features items with obscure origins that require an expert eye to unravel. Antiques dealer Adam Schoon faced such a puzzle when presented with a finely carved wooden paddle. The owner knew it had been acquired in the 1940s by a relative in the Royal Navy who was stationed in the Pacific, but no other details were known.
Schoon determined the paddle was hand-carved from a tropical hardwood. It measured about 5 feet long and was decorated with intricate motifs and designs along the blade and handle. Turning it over, he identified a stamped mark indicating it was made in Japan, likely in the early 20th century.
Based on the maritime nature of the carvings, Schoon deduced it was most likely used as an outrigger paddle for a Pacific Island canoe. The quality and motifs marked it as an ceremonial artifact rather than everyday equipment. He explained how various Island cultures like Hawaii and Tahiti produced specialized paddles for ritual use in water sports and festivals.
The carvings included turtles, ocean waves and aquatic plants which Schoon noted are symbols associated with sea gods in Pacific mythology. It was likely used by tribal leaders or warriors to demonstrate power and status. Given the rarity of preserved ritual artifacts from this region, Schoon estimated it could fetch between £5,000 and £7,000 at auction.
The owner was amazed that what he had always assumed was just a decorative souvenir actually had much greater significance as a ceremonial object connecting to living heritage in the Pacific. The Roadshow’s global perspective is what enables such fascinating journeys of rediscovery.
The World War II Battle of the Atlantic
The Antiques Roadshow often elicits wartime memories and artifacts which open poignant insights into how global conflict shaped local communities. Host Fiona Bruce shed light on Derry’s central role in the Battle of the Atlantic while speaking with a visitor who brought a collection of WWII naval maps, logbooks and photos.
Bruce explained how Derry served as a vital naval base for Allied ships escorting merchant convoys supplying Britain, Russia and other fronts during World War II. These convoys were locked in a life-or-death struggle against Nazi submarine wolfpacks which sought to block sea routes and starve opponents of vital resources.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous campaign of the entire war, raging from 1939 to 1945. Bruce revealed how Derry provided an ideally located base to organize protective convoys and allow escort ships to refuel and re-supply while guarding the approaches to Liverpool and Scotland.
At one point in 1942, Derry was the destination for a third of all Atlantic convoys as it became the linchpin for securing the lifeline between North America and Europe. Bruce also described how technical innovations like radar were pioneered here to counter the U-boat menace.
Photos shown by the owner underscored how Derry was home to sailors from all over the Allied world including Britain, America, Canada, Norway and Poland. Famously, a Polish destroyer squadron operated from Derry for much of the war. Bruce reminded all how Northern Ireland’s pivotal role ensured the final victory over Nazi tyranny.
The Roadshow has a unique ability to illuminate how global events intersect with personal stories in communities across the nation. Every item exhibited is a jumping off point to explore the experiences that shape our shared history.
Photographs of Edwardian Childhood
Family history comes alive when old photographs surface depicting the lost worlds of bygone eras. Longtime Roadshow expert Hilary Kay was delighted by a collection of Edwardian childhood photos brought in by a woman from Omagh.
The images dated from roughly 1900-1910 and captured a wealth of everyday details that have since vanished. The children pictured wore the typical white Edwardian dresses and suits. Kay pointed out details like the thick wool swimsuits in one beach scene and the elaborate frilly bonnets all the girls sported.
Other photos showed classes of schoolchildren, styles of toys ranging from hoops to dolls, and youngsters relaxing in gardens and parks. A studio portrait of a baby showed off the ornate christening gown which was a staple of the era. Kay noted how boys transitioned from dressed gowns into breeched suits by age 5 or 6 – on full display here.
This collection provided a perfect window into youth during the Edwardian period before the world erupted in war and tumult. Kay estimated the collection’s value at roughly £3,000 based on the subject matter and condition. Beyond monetary worth, she said this was a priceless family archive capturing styles of play and upbringing which have faded from memory.
The Roadshow has featured many such assemblages which unlock windows into the domestic life of eras receding into the past. These snapshots illuminate how much has changed in childhood and parenting while revealing constants of toys, school, and family bonds.
A Victorian Era Dollhouse
Dollhouses offer a creative glimpse into cultural values, aesthetics, and notions of childhood. Toys expert Catherine Southon was delighted by a magnificent Victorian era dolls house spanning three floors and 16 fully furnished rooms.
The owner explained it was custom built circa 1880 for a young girl in a wealthy family. Southon said elaborate dollhouses like this were intended to prepare girls for future roles as wives and mothers by teaching domestic skills on a small scale.
Southon admired the exquisite craftsmanship from the cabinet woodwork to the folding side panels allowing full interior access. Each room was decorated with period wallpaper, lighting, furniture, and accessories reflecting the trends of a genteel Victorian household.
The kitchen was equipped with a cast iron stove and fully stocked pantry. The dining room featured a table set with dishes to serve a multicourse meal. Upstairs, the bedrooms and dressing rooms were outfitted for dolls representing family members and servants. Southon noted how the toy services and possessions mirrored the division of wealth and labor at the time.
Based on construction quality and intact interior furnishings, Southon appraised the dollhouse at £4,000 to £6,000. She saw it as a marvelous educational artifact capturing ideals of domesticity from an era when women’s roles were strictly defined. Toys like this reveal deeper social perspectives through imaginative design.
The Roadshow has uncovered many dollhouses which encapsulate the aesthetics and values of bygone generations. These time capsules in miniature form tell vivid stories about shifting views of childhood, gender, and the home.
A Collection of Vintage Hatpins
Accessorizing with flair was a key pillar of Edwardian fashion, as demonstrated by a collection of ornamental hatpins presented to jewelry expert Susan Rumfitt.
Hatpins grew in popularity in the early 1900s as enormous wide-brimmed hats in vogue at the time were difficult to secure to the hair alone. Hatpins with decorative handles gave women a chance to add some personality.
The collection featured Art Nouveau styles in materials like enamel, pearl, and Czech glass. Bold shapes and colors enlivened the hatpins, several topped with glittering paste stones for extra flash.
Rumfitt explained how Edwardian hatpins were an acceptable way for proper ladies to wear flashy jewelry during the day. They also sometimes served as defensive weapons against harassment—giving rise to the phrase “pin money”.
Rumfitt valued the collection at £2,000 to £3,000 based on rarity and artistry. The owner revealed her mother and grandmother were avid collectors, inspired by stories of how hatpins lent discreet flair to women’s outfits in decades past.
The Roadshow celebrates not just major treasures, but small tokens that capture the spirit of their era and illustrate evolving social history. These hatpins reflect how Edwardian fashion afforded subtle opportunities for self-expression constrained by societal conventions.
A Collection of Vintage Handbags
For fashion expert Hilary Kay, few accessories represent changing styles and gender roles better than ladies’ handbags. She was delighted to encounter a collection of elegant 20th century clutches, purses, and minaudières spanning decades of trends.
The collection highlighted major shifts in women’s fashions from the buttoned-up Edwardian era through the liberated 1920s and beyond. Examples included intricate beaded bags, compact minaudières, exotic materials like shagreen and bakelite, and posh vanity cases.
Kay explained how handbags evolved from functional items to fashion statements as ready-to-wear clothing freed women from restrictive layers. Bold Art Deco motifs and sleek silhouettes reflected rising modernity in the interwar years. Popular materials mirrored fortunes of the times from economical wicker to lavish leathers.
Changing bag shapes and closures also indicated transforming gender norms. Edwardian etiquette dictated ladies avoid handling money, giving way to stylish kisslock or zipper closures allowing financial independence. By mid-century, ample shoulder bags suited women juggling work and motherhood.
Based on condition and breadth, Kay valued the collection at £4,000 to £6,000. But she emphasized historical worth above monetary estimates. This parade of bags illustrated women’s evolving lifestyles, aspirations and senses of self over decades of progress and upheaval. The Roadshow treasures such insights into social history.
A Georgian Era Gentleman’s Caneware Box
Showcasing his keen eye for quality craftsmanship, furniture expert Lennox Cato was impressed by an antique wooden caneware box presented by a woman from Omagh. Caneware refers to wood decoratively stained with metallic salts to achieve a rich, jewel-toned finish.
Cato deduced this rare survivor was made around 1760 based on the box’s dovetailed joinery and hand-hammered wrought iron hinges. He noted the striking sap green color achieved through application of copper acetate pigments. This “poor man’s japanning” imitated the look of fashionable lacquered furniture from the East.
The gentleman owner likely stored his wig powder, personal grooming goods, tobacco, or trinkets within the box’s lined interior and hidden compartments. Cato explained how decorative boxes played important roles in social rituals among Georgian gentry concerned with manners and appearance. This example would have suited a dressing room or bedchamber.
Given the superior construction and rare survival of the color, Cato valued this little time capsule at £4,000 to £6,000. The owner was amazed, having picked it up for just a few pounds at a garage sale. She said its handsome looks had always appealed. Cato praised her eye for recognizing an uncommon piece despite its survivals among later paint layers. The Roadshow delights in revealing hidden gems.
A Collection of Vintage Hatpins
Accessorizing with flair was a key pillar of Edwardian fashion, as demonstrated by a collection of ornamental hatpins presented to jewelry expert Susan Rumfitt.
Hatpins grew in popularity in the early 1900s as enormous wide-brimmed hats in vogue at the time were difficult to secure to the hair alone. Hatpins with decorative handles gave women a chance to add some personality.
The collection featured Art Nouveau styles in materials like enamel, pearl, and Czech glass. Bold shapes and colors enlivened the hatpins, several topped with glittering paste stones for extra flash.
Rumfitt explained how Edwardian hatpins were an acceptable way for proper ladies to wear flashy jewelry during the day. They also sometimes served as defensive weapons against harassment—giving rise to the phrase “pin money”.
Rumfitt valued the collection at £2,000 to £3,000 based on rarity and artistry. The owner revealed her mother and grandmother were avid collectors, inspired by stories of how hatpins lent discreet flair to women’s outfits in decades past.
The Roadshow celebrates not just major treasures, but small tokens that capture the spirit of their era and illustrate evolving social history. These hatpins reflect how Edwardian fashion afforded subtle opportunities for self-expression constrained by societal conventions.
An Early 20th Century Traveling Photography Kit
Photography expert Grant Ford appreciated the opportunity to inspect a fully intact traveling photography kit from the early 1900s. While cameras from this era were growing more portable, most photography still relied on cumbersome equipment and complex developing processes.
This maple box kit contained a fold-out brass and mahogany view camera, lens, tripod, and compartments for glass plates and chemical supplies needed for developing images in the field. Labels indicated the chemicals were prepared by a prominent London photography studio that catered to elite clientele.
Ford noted innovative features like the accordion light baffles used to focus images on the ground glass and the kit’s compact, modular design to facilitate transport. The owner shared entries from his great-grandfather’s travel journals describing utilizing just such a kit to document safaris in Africa and royal tours across Asia.
In good condition, Ford estimated the kit’s value at £1,500 to £2,000. Beyond monetary worth, the kit provided a tangible link to the dawn of portable photography. As cameras advanced, such complete and pristine kits become rare. This kit enabled and documented adventures at the farthest reaches of the British Empire.
The Roadshow takes every opportunity to explore how antiques illuminate wider cultural and scientific developments. This little photography treasure trove encapsulated the progress and portability that laid the groundwork for today’s snapshots.
A Collection of Vintage Hatpins
Accessorizing with flair was a key pillar of Edwardian fashion, as demonstrated by a collection of ornamental hatpins presented to jewelry expert Susan Rumfitt.
Hatpins grew in popularity in the early 1900s as enormous wide-brimmed hats in vogue at the time were difficult to secure to the hair alone. Hatpins with decorative handles gave women a chance to add some personality.
The collection featured Art Nouveau styles in materials like enamel, pearl, and Czech glass. Bold shapes and colors enlivened the hatpins, several topped with glittering paste stones for extra flash.
Rumfitt explained how Edwardian hatpins were an acceptable way for proper ladies to wear flashy jewelry during the day. They also sometimes served as defensive weapons against harassment—giving rise to the phrase “pin money”.
Rumfitt valued the collection at £2,000 to £3,000 based on rarity and artistry. The owner revealed her mother and grandmother were avid collectors, inspired by stories of how hatpins lent discreet flair to women’s outfits in decades past.
The Roadshow celebrates not just major treasures, but small tokens that capture the spirit of their era and illustrate evolving social history. These hatpins reflect how Edwardian fashion afforded subtle opportunities for self-expression constrained by societal conventions.
A Victorian Sewing Box
Textile enthusiast Hilary Kay admired a beautifully preserved Victorian sewing box presented by a local Derry woman. The burled wood box with inlaid mother-of-pearl motif opened to reveal a treasure trove of sewing accessories nestled in velvet-lined compartments.
This portable toolkit enabled Victoriana ladies to practice needlework skills considered essential accomplishments. Kay delighted in examining the box’s contents – a rainbow of silk and ivory thread spools, an array of delicate needles, pin cushions, thimbles, tape measures, buttons, and more.
The silken sewing guide and tiny scissor sets bore the mark of the London department store Liberty & Co., known for luxury goods. Such boxes offered ladies a world of creative possibilities in a private, portable setting. Kay noted the wear on some tools showed this was not just a decorative item, but a beloved craft kit.
Kay provided a conservative estimate of £300 to £500 based on condition and completeness. She emphasized the true value lay in it being an exceptional surviving example of Victoriana feminine craft culture. The Roadshow takes care to assess the social and cultural significance embodied in antiques.
This exquisite time capsule captured an era when sewing skills symbolized female achievement and propriety. The contents give texture and insight into women’s daily lives and artistic outlets.
Conclusion
The Antiques Roadshow’s visit to Ebrington Square gave appraisers and audiences alike a chance to rediscover incredible treasures and tales spanning centuries of local history and beyond. From imperial Chinese gifts to Pacific tribal artifacts, wartime naval lore to showdog paintings, the lineage of objects unearthed highlighted Derry’s central place in global currents.
Intimate items like sewing boxes, dollhouses, and hatpin collections shone a light on evolving gender roles, leisure pursuits, and the tiny tokens that gave stylish self-expression. Photography kits and porcelain plates revealed the ingenuity and artistry fueling innovations in science, industry, and aesthetics. Medals, maps, and memorials underscored how world events shape the community.
Most of all, the stories illuminated how heirlooms passed down within families contain hidden significance far beyond their monetary value. The Roadshow offers the chance to uncover that wider meaning and share it with eager audiences, as we collectively deepen our appreciation for the living heritage all around us in homes both grand and humble. Whether looking back centuries or just decades, the objects of days gone by tell vivid stories that have shaped our present. The Roadshow promises many more fascinating tales lie waiting to be unearthed wherever it journeys next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the most valuable item featured in Ebrington Square?
The Chinese imperial gift table from the late 1800s, gifted by the Guangxu Emperor, was valued at £15,000 to £25,000.
What was the story behind the amethyst pendant?
It was a royal caliber Victorian jewel, with exceptional gem quality and the mark of the royal jeweler Garrard. It was valued at £10,000 to £15,000.
How many compact purses were in the featured collection?
The collector brought in over 1,000 decorative ladies’ compacts from the 1920s and 30s – one of the largest private collections the Antiques Roadshow has seen.
What made the hurling trophy historically significant?
Dating from 1887, it was the earliest known example of hurling memorabilia prior to 1900, shedding new light on the sport’s early history.
How much was the Champion showdog painting valued at?
The rare painting by renowned 19th century animal painter George Earl was valued at £8,000 to £10,000.