Antiques Roadshow: The most expensive items ever on the BBC One show including Van Dyck Painting

  • Reading time:16 min(s) read
Movie channels                     Music channels                     Sport channels

It’s the iconic show that could land you a pot of gold.

Britain’s beloved BBC One show, Antiques Roadshow has been a gold mine for families for nearly half a century. 

And some lucky novice antiquarians have even came out of the programme a millionaire as they were in possession of some pricy treasures.

From a 15th century painting by Van Dyck to a rare lizard skin gold-plated camera, MailOnline takes a look at the most expensive items seen on the show…

Britain's beloved Antiques Roadshow has been a gold mine for families for nearly half a century (pictured, show host Fiona Bruce)

Britain’s beloved Antiques Roadshow has been a gold mine for families for nearly half a century (pictured, show host Fiona Bruce)

Fabergé Flower: £1,000,000 

It was an expensive ‘part of the furniture’ piece.

Colonel Stamford Cartwright sent the show’s jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn’s pulse racing after bringing in a gold, diamond and jade flower ornament in April, 2018.

The precious object was originally owned by the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars in 1904 by Georgina, Countess of Dudley, the wife of Lord Dudley.

It was brought in by Stamford, who took the object in on behalf of the squadron, known as B (Staffordshire, Warwick and Worcestershire ) Sqn The Royal Yeomanry.

The rare object showcased in a crystal vase was one of only 80 remaining ornaments of its kind.

When faced with valuing the six-inch tall pear blossom sculpture, Geoffrey said: ‘To make a judgment of that enormity is a tricky thing to do so I’m not going to pretend it wasn’t pressurised.

‘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.’

After finding out the team had spent years sitting around a gold mine, Stamford said the object was ‘a focal point for the members of the regiment and to the current serving soldiers’.

‘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,’ he said.

Presenter Fiona Bruce said ‘word quickly got around that something very special had been brought in’, adding: ‘We weren’t disappointed.’

Colonel Stamford Cartwright (right) sent the show's jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn's pulse racing (left) after bringing in a gold, diamond and jade flower ornament in April, 2018

Colonel Stamford Cartwright (right) sent the show’s jewellery expert Geoffrey Munn’s pulse racing (left) after bringing in a gold, diamond and jade flower ornament in April, 2018

The precious object was originally owned by the Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars in 1904 by Georgina, Countess of Dudley, the wife of Lord Dudley

The precious object was originally owned by the Queen’s Own Worcestershire Hussars in 1904 by Georgina, Countess of Dudley, the wife of Lord Dudley

It was brought in by Stamford, who took the object in on behalf of the squadron, known as B (Staffordshire, Warwick and Worcestershire ) Sqn The Royal Yeomanry

It was brought in by Stamford, who took the object in on behalf of the squadron, known as B (Staffordshire, Warwick and Worcestershire ) Sqn The Royal Yeomanry

Angel of the North sculpture: £1,000,000 

This rusty, man-sized model is worth more than the real Angel Of The North.

The bronze sculpture, which was brought on the show by John McElroy in 2008, was worth more than Gateshead council paid for the actual statue – which was a sum of £800,000.

Antony Gormley’s piece was one of several created by the artist in a bid to persuade the council to commission the actual 66-foot statue in the 90s.

But the councillor revealed that his roots with the maquette run deeper than just being a part of the council.

His father worked in the coal mine where the full-size statue stands.

When the show’s expert art dealer, Philip Mould, saw the piece at the Sage Centre in Gateshead, he revealed another model twice the size was sold recently.

He said: ‘It’s easier to value than a lot of things of this stature, of this iconic resonance, because another version did sell very recently. Admittedly it was taller and it wasn’t of bronze and that made about £2m.’

‘So I think on the basis that this is half the size, I would comfortably value it at £1m.’

John was speechless at the news and eventually responded: ‘Amazing, absolutely amazing.’

Despite it having a hefty price tag, councillor Mick Henry, leader of Gateshead Council, says, ‘It was great to showcase the Angel at the Antiques Roadshow and have it valued by the experts there.

‘Obviously, we have it insured for a considerable sum, but because it belongs to the council, we would never look to sell it. It’s also a unique piece because of the history of the sculpture.’

It took five people to carry the piece, which had been in the Gateshead Council office for 13 years, into the building for the show.

The full-size Angel of the North is one of the world’s most viewed pieces of art.

Despite initial resistance from many residents, who objected to the statue’s size, cost and position next to a main road, the steel piece has remained since it was unveiled in February 1998.

The bronze sculpture, which was brought on the show by John McElroy in 2008, was worth more than Gateshead council paid for the actual statue

The bronze sculpture, which was brought on the show by John McElroy in 2008, was worth more than Gateshead council paid for the actual statue

Antony Gormley's piece was one of several created by the artist in a bid to persuade the council to commission the actual 66-foot statue in the 90s (Presenter Fiona Bruce pictured)

Antony Gormley’s piece was one of several created by the artist in a bid to persuade the council to commission the actual 66-foot statue in the 90s (Presenter Fiona Bruce pictured)

The full-size Angel of the North is one of the world's most viewed pieces of art. Despite initial resistance from many residents, who objected to the statue's size, cost and position next to a main road, the steel piece has remained since it was unveiled in February 1998 - it cost £800,000

The full-size Angel of the North is one of the world’s most viewed pieces of art. Despite initial resistance from many residents, who objected to the statue’s size, cost and position next to a main road, the steel piece has remained since it was unveiled in February 1998 – it cost £800,000 

FA Cup: £1,000,000

A trophy that is still bringing smiles to winners a hundred years on.

The longest-serving FA Cup trophy was brought on to the BBC show by Gabby Logan and Leeds United’s former manager Eddie Gray in 2015.

And it wasn’t until silver expert and football aficionado Alastair Dickenson revealed its eye-watering value that the two sports enthusiasts knew what they were in for.

The valuation, made at the Royal Hall in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was the highest amount ever offered by Alastair after it was valued at £1,000,000.

After the big value reveal, Fiona added that it is worth so much more to Brits as she said the trophy has a ‘very special place in the hearts of English football fans’.

Explaining the significance of the cup, Gabby revealed that the trophy had enjoyed one of the longest tenures of any sporting award, having been used for 81 years until it was finally replaced in 1992.

Alastair claimed the trophy’s design suggested it had not been created to be a football trophy, and was more likely designed as a ‘wine or champagne cooler’ as it featured engravings of grapes and vines.

‘Now I may be banned from every football ground in the country for saying this, but I suspect that this may have been an off-the-shelf piece, that it may not be specifically made,’ he said.

‘I think that because it has all these grapes and vines on it, it might have been a wine or champagne cooler.

‘The hardest thing of all about this is putting a value on it. This is, alongside the Wimbledon trophy, the most famous cup in the country.

‘I think, quite comfortably, this has got to be worth well over £1million [$1.4m] – the highest ever value I have given on Antiques Roadshow.’

The trophy was created in 1911 by Fattorini and Sons, Italian immigrants who came to Britain in the late 19th century.

The longest-serving FA Cup trophy was brought on to the BBC show by Gabby Logan (left) and Leeds United's former manager Eddie Gray (middle) in 2015

The longest-serving FA Cup trophy was brought on to the BBC show by Gabby Logan (left) and Leeds United’s former manager Eddie Gray (middle) in 2015

The valuation, made at the Royal Hall in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was the highest amount ever offered by Alastair after it was valued at £1,000,000 (Gabby and Eddie pictured with Fiona)

The valuation, made at the Royal Hall in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was the highest amount ever offered by Alastair after it was valued at £1,000,000 (Gabby and Eddie pictured with Fiona)

Jardiniere by Christofle: £560,000

For years, it was a wedding gift that was commandeered as a goalpost by his children – so Terry Nurrish was stunned when this ornament was valued at £10,000 on the Antiques Roadshow in 1991.

But the retired farmer decided to keep hold of the antique for just a little longer and it turned out to be a wise decision.

It sold at auction for a staggering £560,000, making it one of the most expensive sale prices of any item valued on the long-running show.

Terry, 68, was given the ‘jardiniere’ by his parents, who picked it up as part of a £100 ‘job lot’ of antiques in 1946.

Unbeknown to the family, it was a French ‘Japonisme’ enamel and bronze ornament made in 1874 by the renowned Christofle for the Paris Exhibition.

Terry, from Fulstow near Grimsby, first took the jardiniere to BBC1’s Roadshow, where expert Eric Knowles valued it at £10,000.

He then kept it for more than 20 years, before eventually deciding to sell it at auction at Christie’s in London in 2014.

Terry said: ‘My parents went to this house clearance sale and my mother saw the plant pot and fell in love with it.

‘My brother and sister never took an interest in it but I really liked it, and when I got married my mother gave it to us as a present.

‘We kept it in the dining room and our son used to use it as a goalpost. It was only when I took it to the Antiques Roadshow that I realised it was valuable.

‘Even then I kept it for over 20 years because my mother always loved it.

‘But I realised I couldn’t just leave it to one person, so decided to sell it and share the proceeds.

‘The auctioneer started the bidding at £100,000 and I just thought ‘blimey’. Then it kept going and I was getting redder and redder in the face. It was incredible.’

It sold at auction for a staggering £560,000, making it one of the most expensive sale prices of any item valued on the long-running show (pictured: Owner Terry Nurrish, with specialist Eric Knowles)

It sold at auction for a staggering £560,000, making it one of the most expensive sale prices of any item valued on the long-running show (pictured: Owner Terry Nurrish, with specialist Eric Knowles)

Mobile Lovers by Banksy: £403,000

A boys’ club that had a rare piece of Banksy artwork left on their front door has had it valued on the Antiques Roadshow for £400,000.

The work, called Mobile Lovers, had appeared overnight on a plank of wood screwed to a wall close to the Broad Plain Boys’ Club in Banksy’s home town of Bristol.

Dennis Stinchcombe, from the club, became involved in a row with the local council after removing the artwork put on a public wall near the youth club.

The struggling club hoped that by selling the piece, they could remain open.

But the artwork was removed by the city council, who maintained they owned the wall and put it on display in Bristol.

The artist waded into the argument by writing a letter to the club’s owner, giving him his ‘blessing’ to do what he felt was right with the art.

Dennis, 58, then had the piece valued by experts from the Antiques Roadshow, who were filming in Bristol in 2014.

He said he hoped to keep a low profile, but everyone at the mansion house immediately recognised the piece.

Gallery owner and expert Rupert Maas told Dennis that selling the artwork for £400,000 would be a ‘good deal’.

The youth club owner said: ‘I am looking to sell the Banksy at the highest price, and I just took it down to get an expert opinion.

‘I’m not an art dealer and I’ve got no idea what I am doing. He said it was like everything else – Banksy is an incredibly hard thing to put a price on.

‘And the reason behind that is there are no set fees or prices, but it is a very unique piece.

‘They also said in real terms, if somebody offers me £400,000, that would be a good deal.’

On May 6, 2014, Dennis received a letter from Banksy, who gave the cash-strapped boys club permission to sell it.

The following day, the city’s Mayor, George Ferguson, received a similar letter from Banksy confirming it was genuine.

He eventually sold it at auction for £403,000.

Gallery owner and expert Rupert Maas (right) told Dennis Stinchcombe (right) that selling the artwork for £400,000 would be a 'good deal'

Gallery owner and expert Rupert Maas (right) told Dennis Stinchcombe (right) that selling the artwork for £400,000 would be a ‘good deal’

Van Dyck painting: £400,000

It was an ancient treasure that could have seen one lucky priest £500,000 better off.

The Old Masterpiece, painted by Antony Van Dyck, was bought by Derbyshire priest Father Jamie MacLeod from an antique shop in Cheshire for £400 in 1992.

Spotted by presenter Fiona during the roadshow in Nottinghamshire, who was making a programme about the artist at the time, the piece was questioned as an original in 2013.

She said: ‘When I saw this, something about the eyes and the way you can see the bone under the nose here, it just looked similar to the kind of paintings I’d been looking at, so I thought, ‘Who knows, it could be?”

When expert and art dealer Philip Mould and Dr Christopher Brown examined the painting, it was confirmed to be an original.

The piece is said to be called The Magistrates of Brussels, which hung in the city’s town hall until it was destroyed by a French attack in 1695.

After a three-month lengthy restoration and verification process, the 17th-century painting was confirmed as an original as ’17th Century brushstrokes beneath’ the top layer of the painting were unveiled.

Father MacLeod, an Old Catholic priest who runs a retreat in the Peak District, burst into laughter and smiled after being told the news, where he admitted: ‘I’m just completely in shock’.

‘It has been a blessing to own this magnificent portrait which has given me great pleasure over the years.

‘I will be sad to part with it, though the proceeds will be put to excellent use, going towards the acquisition of new church bells for Whaley Hall Ecumenical Retreat House in Derbyshire to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World in 2018.’

The Old Masterpiece, painted by Antony Van Dyck, was bought by Derbyshire priest Father Jamie MacLeod (left)  from an antique shop in Cheshire for £400 in 1992

The Old Masterpiece, painted by Antony Van Dyck, was bought by Derbyshire priest Father Jamie MacLeod (left)  from an antique shop in Cheshire for £400 in 1992

Spotted by presenter Fiona during the roadshow in Nottinghamshire, who was making a programme about the artist at the time, the piece was questioned as an original in 2013

Spotted by presenter Fiona during the roadshow in Nottinghamshire, who was making a programme about the artist at the time, the piece was questioned as an original in 2013 

Gold Leica Luxus II Camera: £320,000

This antique is one of the world’s rarest cameras and the last of its kind.

The gold-plated Leica Luxus II camera was valued between £300,000 to £800,000 after it was brought on to the show in 2001.

It was originally valued at £5,000 at the time, but in 2013, it was put up for sale through Bonham’s auction house and was revalued at upward of £300,000.

Encased in lizard skin, the piece is one of just four special edition versions made in 1932 and the whereabouts of the others remains a mystery.

The camera was given to its late owner, a keen amateur photographer, after World War Two and used it throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

The camera has the serial number 88840 and comes with a 50mm Elmar lens, which features a bell-push release.

It came complete with its original crocodile camera case, the first time one has ever come to light.

The Luxus II was used avidly for several decades and then put away until the owner took it to the show for a look-see.

When it went up for sale they did just that and it was sold in Hong Kong in 2013 for £320,000.

The gold-plated Leica Luxus II camera was valued at £800,000 after it was brought on to the show in 2001. It was originally valued at £5,000 at the time, but in 2013, it was put up for sale through Bonham's auction house and was revalued at £800,000

The gold-plated Leica Luxus II camera was valued at £800,000 after it was brought on to the show in 2001. It was originally valued at £5,000 at the time, but in 2013, it was put up for sale through Bonham’s auction house and was revalued at £800,000

On May 17 1977, the cameras rolled at Hereford Town Hall, as presenter Bruce Parker and expert Arthur Negus welcomed the first visitors to film a pilot episode for a new antiques valuation series. 

The new programme made its debut on BBC One on 18th February 1979 – the Antiques Roadshow was born.

Four decades later and Antiques Roadshow is still as popular as ever, with around five million people regularly watching the show on Sunday evenings and around 2,000 people turning up at each event. 

In 2024 Antiques Roadshow will be recording its 47th series and this is the 17th year that Fiona Bruce has presented the programme.

Applications are now open for free tickets across the new venues which include:

  • Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in Walpole Park, Ealing, west London
  • Cromford Mills, near Matlock in Derbyshire
  • Firstsite art gallery in Colchester, Essex
  • Thirlestane Castle in Lauder in the Scottish Borders
  • Beaumaris Castle on the island of Anglesey
  • Botanic Gardens in Belfast

To apply please visit the BBC website.

10 things you may not know about the Antiques Roadshow 

1. There have been five hosts of Antiques Roadshow: Bruce Parker, Angela Rippon, Hugh Scully, Michael Aspel and Fiona Bruce.

2. The Roadshow has featured many items with a celebrity connection: George Harrison’s guitar, a letter from Kate Bush to a fan, a drawing by heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali and even a toilet roll rejected for use by the Beatles.

3. Some Roadshow experts have had interesting alternative careers. Amongst the team are a former long haul airline pilot (Richard Price), a soldier turned ski instructor (Raj Bisram), a rock journalist (Andy McConnell) and celebrity hairdresser and DJ (Ronnie Archer-Morgan).

4. Lots of objects brought in have been found in strange places including diamond jewels found sewn into an upholstered chair, a necklace in a bag of compost, two important paintings discovered by the new owners of a house in the loft, and a box of items owned by Sir Winston Churchill found at the ‘dump’ (and valued at £10,000).

5. A lost jewel by Arts and Crafts designer William Burges came to light after an appeal on the show. The lucky owner sold it for £31,000. Since then, another brooch designed by Burges appeared at a Roadshow in Cardiff in 2023 and is due be sold later this spring.

6. The oldest dolls seen on the show were filmed at Tewkesbury Abbey – the figures dated back to 1705 and came with their own dolls house. In the end the entire collection was valued between £150,000 – £200,000.

7. A travelling chest (which had journeyed across Britain, over the Atlantic to New York and back) brought to the Castle Cawdor Roadshow in 2012 was eventually proven to have belonged to Queen Anne and was returned to Hampton Court where it was originally housed.

8.The first outdoor Roadshow was at Heveningham Hall in 1993. Before that, town halls and sports halls hosted the shows.

9. Ozzy the Owl is the most famous ceramic to come to light at the show. Owner Pat sold it and used some of the proceeds to fund a charity helping to support five orphans from around the world.

10. The Roadshow travelled to Australia in 2005 where Hilary Kay made a remarkable discovery in Melbourne – a Steiff teddy bear that was one of 600 made in 1912 as a memorial to the children who lost their lives on the Titanic. It was valued at around £90,000