Antiques Roadshow expert Jon Baddeley was left astonished by an item he declared was one of "only 15" in the world.
In the classic 2019 episode of the BBC favourite, which is due to be repeated by the broadcaster on Sunday evening, the collectibles specialist left an entire crowd mesmerised as he detailed the unique nature of an automaton brought in by an unsuspecting guest.
The owner of the item brought along the mechanical model of a woman charming a snake to the team at Lytham Hall but seemed to have no idea of its true value.
"This is considered to be one of the most important automatons ever made," Baddeley explained as he observed the item.
He continued: "It was made in Paris at the end of the 19th century and she's obviously called the Snake Charmer."
When asked how he came to own the item, the guest replied: "It's my family's, from my father who has sadly passed away. When he retired he decided to collect things like this."
The Antiques Roadshow episode in Lytham Hall saw stunned crowds applauding the staggering value of an automaton
BBC
"Was this his prized possession?" the expert asked, to which the owner responded: "It's one of his prized possessions, yeah. He had two, this one and a Cambodian dancer."
"Automatons were not children's toys, they were made to entertain adults," Baddeley detailed.
"So if you can imagine yourself at a dinner party in Paris in the 1890s, you'd have had your dinner and then you might have retreated to smoke your cigar and have your brandies, and there'd be something like this.
"And in this case, there was a famous lady who did snake charming, so this could have been based on someone like her but... very rare. There's probably less than 15 known in the world."
An automaton on Antiques Roadshow was valued at an eye-watering amount by Jon Baddeley
BBC
He continued: "And what makes this unique as an automaton is normally when you take the costumes off they are not fully formed.
"However, if I did take all her clothes off, she is perfectly formed sculpturally.
"And the perception is that she originally would have performed nude - but the only known automaton that is a full figure so... Extraordinary."
When the guest confirmed the musical item was still working, the antiques guru couldn't wait to put it to the test.
After winding the handle a few times, the statue began to move while music played, prompting an amazed Baddeley to point out: "She's got the trumpet, her chest is actually moving up and down so she's breathing. Eyelashes going..."
The crowd craned their necks to get a glimpse at the item, and they all applauded as the music came to an end.
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The classic Antiques Roadshow episode left crowds and expert Jon Baddeley entertained
BBC
Taking in the audience's reaction, Baddely remarked: "Now, what I really like... Look at the faces - did you look at the faces?
"This is something that's 130 years old and it can still entertain. It ticks all the boxes - it's probably one of the rarest automatons I've ever known, it's all original and it's in fantastic condition."
As he alluded to the fact that prices for automatons these days aren't as high as they were in the past, his valuation left the guest and the crowd in disbelief.
"If you decided to sell it today at auction you'd be looking at between £60,000 and £80,000," he revealed.
"Really?" the speechless guest managed to ask as the crowds gasped and applauded.
"It's a star piece and I just can't wait to play her again," Baddeley enthused as he wound up the handle once more.
