BBC Antiques Roadshow guest stumbles over words after 'special' four-figure valuation of sentimental vase
One Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned over the valuation
BBC
Antiques Roadshow expert Lee Young left one guest visibly shocked and lost for words when he valued a vase at a staggering amount when visiting the V&A Dundee Design Museum on the east coast of Scotland.
During the episode, which is set to air again this evening, Fiona Bruce and her band of experts explored the fascinating story behind the landmark museum and the treasures it houses.
Among the discoveries are a valuable bowl found at a car boot sale for just £3, a set of rare SAS medals and a Vivienne Westwood jacket.
However, Young was taken back when one guest planted a large vase on the table in front of him, prompting the BBC star to ask: "So here we are on the Discovery with the vase which may well have travelled back 100 or so years ago from Japan on a ship just like this. What can you tell me about it?"
The guest explained: "I inherited it from someone who is very dear to me and he passed away about 10 years ago.
"He meant a lot to me, yeah, and he was adamant that I should have it."
Lee Young was surprised to see such a big vase on the table
BBC
When asked whether it was something he admired from the man close to him, the guest continued: "When I worked for him I always admired it and he asked, 'What do you want when I pass away, do you want the mirror in the hall or the vase?'
"And I said, 'I just don't want you to die, I am not going to tell you'. Before he became ill, he made a legacy where he had written that it should come to me so..."
Impressed, Young went on to discuss the history of the timeless piece and said: "Well, it is a very, very nice gift in sad circumstances but a very nice gift.
"This is a type of wear called Satsuma wear, in Japan, and the West was first introduced to this type of Satsuma wear in Paris, in the exposition in 1867 and we went wild for it, to say the least.
The vase was valued between £3,000 and £5,000
BBC
"They were decorated with this lovely rich kilt and just very rich decoration, and then actually what we see here, are popular subjects which were processions and we see a procession here and there are a number of important figures on the horseback and in carriages.
"But what I love about it, is its scale, I mean it is just huge, for a Satsuma vase of this type. I mean often the ones that we see are the very small ones, very fine but very small ones and this is just such a big scale.
"It dates from the latter part of the 19th century. That would have been the heyday for this type of vase."
Wanting to know more, the guest asked about when the vase was made, which prompted Young to tilt it on its side and explain: "It's got this lovely gilt four-character mark and that's Kyoto.
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The guest was left stunned and unable to speak at the news
BBC
"Kyoto was certainly one of the major centres for Satsuma production in the late 19th century, early 20th century."
Ending the history lesson, Young quickly moved on to evaluating the vase and noted that its impressive history, size and the time it was made, it could fetch between £3,000 to £5,000 at an auction.
The guest was stunned and unable to speak until he let out a laugh and noted: "That's quite special. That is very special, I get emotional because it reminds me of the man.
"To me, that is the most important thing but it is a huge amount of money and it is quite amazing. Shocking actually, quite shocking."
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