BBC Antiques Roadshow expert's four word demand as he discovers box's eye-watering value
Antiques Roadshow's resident expert Alastair Dickenson broke the good news to a shocked pensioner who'd had no idea his purchase was worth so much.
The silver gambling box he'd paid just £2,000 for was in fact a 17th century rarity, featuring King Charles I in portrait form on the top. Despite being an antiques expert himself, he was visibly stunned when he learnt just how much of a savvy investment he'd made.
The previous owner had been no fan of the item, dismissing it as merely "gaming discs produced by the awful gentry". However, Alastair explained: "On the top, we've got the portrait of Charles I and underneath we have his wife Henrietta Maria.
"What I particularly like about this box is these fantastic, fanciful, almost demonic figures around the side here," he marvelled as he examined it. The owner agreed: "Absolutely beautifully pierced and engraved but we should actually say what it is.
"Well I understand, when I bought it, I was told it was gaming discs, produced by this awful gentry many, many years ago who did nothing but eat, drink and womanise!" Alastair joked: "Well there we are! Nothing more to be said!"
READ MORE: Antiques Roadshow guest wowed as nan's ‘ugly’ tea cannister fetches thousands [LATEST]
The 17th century "gambling box" unveiled on Antiques Roadshow (Image: BBC)He continued: "It is a counter box, you're absolutely right, and I think if we take the lid off, we'll see inside these fantastic counters, each one beautifully engraved with different kings and queens of England.
"Now there's a maker associated with these and that's a chap called Simon Van de Pass and he died in 1647... so we know that this box, with the portrait of King Charles I has to be before 1647."
const loadOvpScript=()=>{let el=document.createElement('script');el.setAttribute('src','https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&playerApiId=v118222');document.getElementById('ovp-primis').appendChild(el)};window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}});window.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',()=>{setTimeout(()=>{if(typeof flagTcfLoaded!=='undefined'&&flagTcfLoaded===!0){loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP flagTcfLoaded',new Date())}else{document.addEventListener("tcfLoaded",()=>{loadOvpScript();ExpressApp.Log('[Load] OVP tcfLoaded',new Date())})}},1500)})He gave it a date estimate of 1640, before remarking on the fact that the maximum possible amount of counters were included inside, setting it apart from other gambling boxes of its kind.
"That's pretty much near the capacity number of counters you can get into one of these boxes," he clarified.
Don't miss...
Antiques Roadshow guest astonished at value of 'desired' £30 charity shop find [SHOCK]
Antiques Roadshow expert squirms as guest uses old tool to demonstrate 'fear' [INSIGHT]
Antiques Roadshow expert issues warning after unexpected value of tea set [WARNING]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
"Over the years, a few of these have come up at auction and not that many of them have as many as 32 counters, because each one of these is a little piece of art in its own right.
"It's absolutely fantastic detail. 32 little gems all add up to a reasonable sum."
"Do they? I'm waiting for you to tell me what that sum is!" the excited pensioner exclaimed.
Alastair replied: 'Well, I can tell you it's more than [the] £2,000 [that you paid]. It's now £6,000 to £8,000!"
The shocked owner could scarcely believe it as he joked that he'd now need a "bodyguard" for protection after showing off his prize possession on the BBC show.
BBC Antiques Roadshow expert's four word demand as he discovers box's eye-watering value
BBC Antiques Roadshow expert's four word demand as he discovers box's eye-watering value
BBC Antiques Roadshow expert's four word demand as he discovers box's eye-watering value
BBC Antiques Roadshow expert's four word demand as he discovers box's eye-watering value
BBC Antiques Roadshow expert's four word demand as he discovers box's eye-watering value
Play online games for free at games.easybranches.com
Guest Post Services www.easybranches.com/contribute