Antiques Roadshow expert breathless as 'masterpiece' given record-breaking valuation

The Antiques Roadshow audience were left gasping back in 2017 after one item was given a record-breaking valuation.

During a past episode of the hit BBC One antiques show, which was filmed at Black Country Living Museum in 2017, one of the "most significant items of jewellery ever valued on the Roadshow" was brought along.

Expert Geoffrey Munn was left breathless as he valued a Faberge ornament of a pear blossom owned by an army regiment. It was crafted out of gold, jade, diamonds and silver and stood in a carved rock crystal base.

Describing it as "a towering masterpiece" by Faberge, jewellery expert Geoffrey gave it a record-breaking valuation.

The guest who brought the item along said: "It still comes out on dinner nights, when the officers and the regiment are assembled. It's perhaps suffered over the years from being stuffed under the bed on occasions at the end of the evening."

Expert Geoffrey admitted: "It's making me utterly breathless this really because I find Faberge things on the Antiques Roadshow but nothing of this scale.

"I can tell you the size of the object, the sophistication of the object, the provenance of the object brings it very very close to only two other flower [objects] in the United Kingdom", pointing out that they are in the "royal collection".

He added over the "towering masterpiece": "I am going to tell you in my opinion that this is worth £1 million" to which the audience surrounding the item let out a loud gasp.

While the stunned guest responded: "Really? Goodness gracious!" before he burst out laughing. He cheekily added: "Well I'm supposed to say now, it's not for sale... but... it certainly isn't for sale. I'm just the custodian!"

It comes as Sunday's episode, which was a repeat and filmed at Portchester Castle, saw expert, Mark Smith, left stunned over a "show first". During the latest instalment, a couple wanted to learn the history and value behind a priceless family heirloom.

Expert Mark couldn't hide his delight and amazement as he said: "This is a unique moment on the Antiques Roadshow. In all the years I've been on the Roadshow, we have never had a Victoria Cross. The highest award for gallantry this country has. Who was this man?"

To which the guest explained: "This was my wife's grandfather. Unfortunately, I wasn't privileged enough to meet him but my wife knew him when she was a young child."

This prompted the guest's wife to recall: "I have very vague memories, because I actually was only coming up to my fifth birthday when he passed away. I'm very proud of him, obviously, with what he achieved."

Expert Mark pointed out he fought in the Battle of Passchendaele and then read the citation that detailed the heroic actions of Sergeant Ockendon, which led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross.

Later in the show, expert Mark revealed the value as he declared: "£250,000 to £300,000."

The couple were left completely speechless as they let out a gasp before laughing in disbelief over the value. The stunned guest said: "I didn't think it would be that much! I need a stiff cup of coffee!" to which his wife joked: "I'm a bit like my husband... shocked. I didn't expect that at all."

Talking about the future of the medals, the guest confirmed: "We'll be returning the medals to the bank and keeping them in a safety deposit box there" to which expert Mark said: "I think that's probably wise. That day, he deserved that."

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.