rare find
Antiques Roadshow expert left gobsmacked by ‘very rare’ item that there are ‘only 15 of’ in the world
Watch the video above as the guest is left speechless when expert Jon delivers his valuation of the item
AN Antiques Roadshow expert was left stunned as they set their eyes on a 'very rare' item - with only 15 of them in the world.
The latest episode of the beloved BBC show aired on Sunday night with Fiona Bruce at the helm.
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Viewers watched as Antiques Roadshow was broadcast from Lytham Hall in Lancashire.
Expert Jon Baddeley couldn't hide his fascination when a guest brought a 130-year-old automaton.
It depicted a female snake charmer that danced and played music to guests.
Explaining the rare piece, Jon said: “It was made in Paris at the end of the 19th Century by a company named Roullet-Decamps."
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He then quizzed the guest on how the object came into his possession, to which he revealed it was part of his late father's antiques collection.
Jon then continued: “They were made to entertain adults.
“You can imagine yourself at a dinner party in Paris in the 1890s. You would have had your dinner and then you might have retreated to smoke your cigars and have your brandies.
“And there would be something like this. And it would mean they’re simulating reality.”
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To the gathered crowd's amazement the antique was still in full working order, even playing a tune.
It also simulated the woman breathing and fluttering her eyelashes.
Antiques Roadshow guest speechless at real value of £1.50 charity shop find he thought would be six figures
When it came to pricing the rare find, Jon said: “Prices at the moment are not as high as they have been in the past.
“But if you decided to sell it today, I think at auction you’d be looking at a figure between… well, £60-80,000.”
The guest was speechless by Jon's evaluation and muttered “Really?” in amazement.
Antiques Roadshow is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Antiques Road Trip experts
The BBC One series features a team of experts ready to give their opinions on hidden treasures.
Mark Hill - Mark is a popular antiques expert, TV presenter, author and publisher.
He is known for both Antiques Road Trip and BBC's Antiques Roadshow.
Away from his TV career and he previously worked at Sotheby's in London as a Specialist in their Collectors Department.
Izzie Balmer - Izzie was previously a part of BBC Street Auction’s celebrity edition before becoming a member of Antiques Road Trip.
She is a popular antiques valuer and auctioneer from Derbyshire who is now a recognizable face.
As well to her TV work, Izzie predominantly works as a head valuer at the Wessex Auction rooms in Wiltshire.
Steven Moore - Steven is known for being an antiques dealer, auctioneer and museum curator.
He has also used his expertise in the past to write for a variety of magazines.
Steven joined the Antiques Road Trip in 2020 and has also been an expert on BBC's Antiques Roadshow.
Natasha Raskin Sharp - Natasha is an Antiques Road Trip expert with a passion for antiques and art.
She was born in Glasgow in 1986 into a family of art collectors with her dad Philip Raskin being a successful artist.
Irita Marriott - Irita is an antiques expert and dealer as well as being the founder of Irita Marriott Antiques.
She is one of the latest BBC antiques expert on Antiques Road Trip and full time antiques dealer based in the UK.
Charles Hanson - Charles chose a career in antiques because he has a love for history and enjoys the drama of an auction.
He joined Bargain Hunt back in 2002 and works as an auctioneer.
Raj Bisram - Raj is a British antiques expert and auctioneer.
He co-founded Bentley's Fine Art and Antiques Auction House in Cranbrook, Kent in 1995.
Philip Serrell - Philip says that he thinks antiques found him “rather than the other way round”.
He was approached by the Bargain Hunt series producer of the day and recorded the first Bargain Hunt filmed at Malvern in 1999.
The dealer, who is known for his scarves, was then asked to feature as an expert.
David Harper - David is an antiques expert, artist, speaker and writer.
He has gone on to make multiple TV appearances, with his first television role in 2005 as presenter of Channel 4's Natural Born Dealers.
James Braxton - Ever since he was young, James was always interested in the world of antiques and began pursuing a career in the industry after purchasing an auctioning company in 1991.
He founded the Fine Art Auction Group where he currently serves as director, responsible for running five auction rooms in the South of England.
James has appeared in other hit TV shows including Bargain Hunt and Flog it!
Roo Irvine - Roo, whose full name Arusha Irvine, is an antiques dealer and television presenter from Scotland.
As well as Antiques Road Trip, she has also appeared on shows such as Bargain Hunt, Flipping Profit and the celebrity version of Antiques Road Trip.
Tim Wonnacott - Timothy is an English chartered auctioneer, chartered surveyor, antiques expert, narrator, and a television presenter.
He used to be a director of Sotheby's; one of the world's oldest auction houses.
He has been the narrator of Antiques Road Trip since it began in 2010.
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