Antiques Roadshow jewellery expert Joanna Hardy was left bewildered by one guest's brooch during a new episode of the BBC series – making an urgent request to them.
During the latest instalment, books expert Clive Farahar examined a much-loved copy of Winnie the Pooh that could be a first edition.
Elaine Binning found a wooden chair featuring iconic mouse carvings by Yorkshire craftsman Robert “Mouseman” Thompson, while Will Farmer was shaken and stirred by a set of Lalique drinking glasses our guest believes were used on the set of a James Bond film.
However, it was Hardy who was left stunned when one guest briefly showed her the brooch she brought along which left the expert to immediately investigate.
Welcoming the guest and her mother to the show, Hardy said: “You were in my jewellery queue this morning and opened a jewellery box and said to me, ‘What do you think of this?’.
“I was just doing cartwheels in my head. And I was actually physically on the floor. I thought ‘This can’t be true. Is it true?’. So, before we go into all of that, I would love to hear the story behind this brooch.”
Antiques Roadshow's Joanna Hardy fell in love with the brooch
BBC
The guest explained: “So, my mother used to have a bridge partner who was a Polishjeweller back in the ‘70s and ‘80s.
“When he was winding up his business, he’d said to my mother ‘I’m selling off what I have in the shop if there anything you’re interested in?’.
“And Mum was interested in a couple of the brooches, but she sent my dad to go and choose one, and because at the time she was teaching in a private ballet school in Chester and actually ballet has been quite a passion of the family, my father chose the ballerina brooch.
“And it happened to be a significant anniversary for them both, and he chose that brooch for my mother.”
Antiques Roadshow's Joanna Hardy was unable to find a signature for the brooch
BBC
“And what did you think when this was presented to you?” Hardy asked, leaving the guest’s mother to joke: “I thought it was a bit too, erm, glamourous! No, I mean, I loved it you know, for the texture, the shape, and the subject.”
Going on to discuss how and where the brooch was made, Hardy the main materials were turquoise, rubies, 18-carat gold and diamonds.
She thought the brooch could have come from a company called Van Cleef & Arpels, who were known for their brooches back in the ‘40s.
Upon inspection, Hardy was unable to find a signature and told the guests: “I cannot find the signature of Van Cleef & Arpels. I want to find one, I can assure you!
“And the only people who can verify it as Van Cleef & Arpels are them themselves, so I absolutely think you must go and see them, and they would be able to give you the yes or the no.”
When going on to reveal how much the brooch could have been worth, Hardy was unable to give an exact figure and revealed: “If it is right, it is tens and tens of thousands of pounds.”
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The guest didn't believe Joanna Hardy when she gave the valuation
BBC
The guest gasped in shock before her mother turned round to the audience and exclaimed: “Can’t be!”
Before they left, Hardy added: “This is a serious jewel but I think it is absolutely stunning. And I know that Van Cleef & Arpels, I’m sure, will be very glad to help you and then come back and tell me!
“I think it is just so exciting! And even if it’s right or not right, I think it is just a fabulous jewel.”
After learning of the history and possible valuation of the brooch, the guests decided to keep it in the safe hands of a bank whilst they underwent more research.
