Army officer stunned when Fabergé flower sculpture he brought into Antiques Roadshow is valued at £1million
The five-inch pear blossom ornament — made of enamel, gold, diamond and jade, and sat in a crystal vase — is one of just 80 surviving pieces of its kind
A JEWELLED Fabergé flower sculpture is only the third item on Antiques Roadshow to get a £1million valuation.
The five-inch pear blossom ornament — made of enamel, gold, diamond and jade, and sat in a crystal vase — is one of just 80 surviving pieces of its kind.
It belongs to an Army regiment and was brought in by two soldiers during the show’s visit to Dudley, West Mids.
Presenter Fiona Bruce said: “When it came in, word quickly got round that very special had been brought in.
“Could it be Fabergé? Would it break records?
“We weren’t disappointed and it was the find of the series.”
Three in a million
THE Fabergé flower made in imperial Russia is the third to have been given a seven-figure valuation in the 40-year history of Antiques Roadshow.
In 2008 sculptor Antony Gormley’s design model for his enormous Angel of the North was valued at £1million during a recording of the programme at The Sage in Gateshead.
It was brought in by an employee of the town’s council — which owns both the 6ft model and the 66ft sculpture itself.
In 2015, the third of five FA Cups was brought into the show in Harrogate, North Yorks, by ex-Leeds United player Eddie Gray.
Expert Alastair Dickenson gave it the £1million price tag.
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The piece gifted by Georgina, Countess of Dudley, to the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars in 1904 for their Boer War service.
Antiques Roadshow expert Geoffrey Munn, who did the valuation, said: “It means everything to the squadron.”
The find will be broadcast next month.