An Antique Roadshow item 'with absolutely no function' was valued at $1,250,000 because of its impressive history.
The popular BBC show has captivated viewers across the pond in the US, with many amazed at the money some folks are obtaining for some of their old items.
And many were left stunned after an Army reserve squadron brought in a rare ornament, not expecting it to be worth much.
The jaw-dropping moment came while the show was filming at the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, West Midlands, in 2017.
The ornament, which is shaped similarly to a stem of flowers, was looked at by Antique Roadshow's jewelry expert Geoffrey Munn.
The expert ended up giving the object an evaluation of around £1 million ($1,250,000).
"To make a judgment of that enormity is a tricky thing to do so I'm not going to pretend it wasn't pressurised," he said.
"This was a sensation beyond our wildest dreams really - this is a towering masterpiece from Faberge.
"It's what we call an 'object of fantasy' because it has absolutely no function whatsoever except to be a source of pleasure - and it is...
"It is the rarest, most poetic manifestation of Faberge's work that one could ever hope to see."
The ornament was valued unexpectedly high (BBC)
Dan Bansal observed the evaluation, stating Munn was amazed the minute he laid eyes on the ornament.
"The expert said it's probably the second time he's ever done that type of valuation," he told the Express & Star.
"I think he was reluctant to say £1 million [$1,250,000] and nervous to say it was worth that much."
It was Colonel Stamford Cartwright who took the valuable item into the Antiques Roadshow on behalf of the B Squadron The Royal Yeomanry.
And as you'd probably expect, he was overwhelmed with the valuation.
It really was a true jaw-dropping Antiques Roadshow moment (BBC)
"Because you grew up with it you tend to treat it as part of the furniture. The regiment has got some huge silver pieces, which absolutely tower over this little thing," he said.
The ornament was gifted to the squadron in 1904 by Georgina, Countess of Dudley, who was the wife of the second in command of the regiment, Lord Dudley.
"It reminds them not only of the sacrifice of fallen comrades but also that there is a continuation... It forms a bond for comrades right the way through from the 1900s," Col Cartwright added.
After a clip of the incredible moment was shared on YouTube, social media users shared their thoughts.
One wrote: "One of the rare times on Antiques Roadshow where I think that is LOOKS worth the price! Such a masterpiece."
Another added: "The fact the refraction of the stem in water is so realistic is incredible."
While a third commented: "I honestly thought they'd brought the flower out in a glass vase & water for display purposes. Extraordinary."
Talk about an unexpected event!
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English (US) ·