BBC Antiques Roadshow expert makes urgent demand to guest before four-figure valuation: ‘Don't think me rude’
GB News panel discuss an Antiques Roadshow expert refusing to appraise an item
GB News
Clock expert Richard Price delivered some strong words of advice to a guest during the latest episode of the BBC favourite while evaluating their treasured heirloom.
In the episode that aired on Sunday on the BBC, Fiona Bruce and the Roadshow’s experts were hosted in the Scottish Borders to marvel at - among other treasures - a gold casket gifted by a Russian Tsar and a gold disc gifted by Rod Stweart.
The appraisers also examined a silver chalice believed to have been found in a potato field and two signed Harry Potter volumes brought by separate guests.
However, the Roadshow’s clock expert eyes were drawn to a different “nice little object” - a small gold and enamel miniature carriage clock from 1885.
The clock’s owner, who beamed about her treasured heirloom, revealed it had been in her possession for more than half a century.
The timepiece was a gift from her late husband’s aunt and has sat on her desk since.
The clock, despite showing it's age, wowed Price
BBC
“She knew I had always loved it and when we got married, she said ‘You must have this'," the guest explained.
Price, examining the clock with reverence, said: “The joy of it is the porcelain panels - It’s got the dial, the sides and the back door.”
Looking at the bottom, he uncovered a stamp from “one of the best makers, Drucker of Paris".
As much as the expert was enamoured with the piece, he noticed time had taken its toll.
The clock had a number of charming features and an important maker's mark
BBC
“Now please don’t think me rude, but I have to say this is in pretty scruffy condition," he critiqued.
The clock itself no longer worked and beautiful panelling was chipped and dirty.
The guest conceded it was “sad” to see it like that but revealed she had inherited it with those flaws.
Price issued a long list of demands to the guest before he felt he could place a retail valuation on the piece.
Reeling off his desires, Price urged the guest: "First of all, the movement needs to be completely cleaned and overhauled. The case needs to be regilded.”
He pointed to one of the sides, featuring a charming scene of a girl with a watering can, and added: “Most importantly, this panel needs to be redone and repainted and completed. That’s the expensive bit.”
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The guest laughed at the list of demands made by Price
BBC
However, Price was certain that by adhering to his demands, the guest could fetch a handsome sum as he detailed: “When it’s done it’s going to be (worth) £4,000”
The guest was overwhelmed with the valuation before confirming she would pursue a refurbishment.
"I just love it. It’s very special to me," the guest told Price, who laughed before reaffirming: "It’ll be a lot more special when it’s working.” “
"I know. I can’t wait to see that," the guest replied.
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