Antiques Roadshow took an turn when BBC pottery expert Will Farmer stumbled across an “unassuming” household item with a huge value.
Antiques Roadshow: Guest ‘astonished’ at valuation of vase
One Antiques Roadshow guest was left utterly speechless when she found out the incredible value of her household item.
The hit BBC antiques show took a trip to the contemporary art gallery Firstsite in Colchester on Sunday (January 5) where fans from up and down the country brought their prized possessions down for valuation.
It wasn’t long before viewers got a peek at a very pricy item when one unsuspecting pottery owner brought along a vintage vase which had been handed down through the family.
And it’s fair to say auctioneer and expert on 20th century ceramics and glass expert Will Farmer was biting her hand off to appraise the attractive item.
Taking a closer look at the antique which had been handed down through the family, the expert explained: “To some this may appear unassuming, but to me I see genius and beauty in the form of the most exceptional piece of Hans Coper pottery.
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The once-overlooked vase was valued at a staggering £53,000 (Image: BBC)
“Underneath here, we’ve got his impressed monogram, the H.C for Hans Coper. Elements of this vase would have been turned on a wheel and then constructed”.
The presenter was left lost for words when he added: “I mean, to seemingly get in this bladed waist” before he stepped back and applauded the artist’s work.
It was at this point that he revealed the staggering value a similar item sold for at auction across the pond. Will went on: “I know that its sibling was up for sale in America about 18 months ago.
“It carried a pre-sale auction estimate of $20,000 [£16,400] to $30,000 [£24,600] US dollars.” The surprised owner was left lost for words when she mumbled: “Good heavens, that’s amazing.”
Will wowed her further when he added: “It is amazing because it sold for $65,000 [£53,300].” The proud owner went on: “Oh, I never thought it would be that much.
Fans gushed over the valuable item (Image: BBC)
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“I mean, I knew it would be worth something because I knew Hans Coper had a name and was important. But I never thought it was that.”
It didn’t take long before fans flooded to social media to share their surprise at the everyday item online. One user penned: “So wonderful to see my pottery idols Lucie Rue and Hand Coper featured this week!
“Will’s enthusiasm for this work of art was great to see and to hear this lovely lady talk about meeting the great potter was wonder [heart-eyes emoji].”
Another agreed: “Wowzers [heart-eyes emoji] Hand was a great teacher and mentor too [heart emoji].” A third echoed: “Beautiful and inspiring. HC and LR are the gods of contemporary ceramics!”
Antiques Roadshow airs on Sundays from 7.30pm on BBC One or catch up on BBC iPlayer.
