BBC Antiques Roadshow expert throws arms in air as guest makes 'heresy' confession

Antiques Roadshow: Charity shop chair gets appraised by expert

An Antiques Roadshow expert was visibly astounded by a guest's admission about a piece of furniture.

During the show, which took place at Ebrington Square in Derry, Mark Hill couldn't hide his excitement when a woman revealed her bargain buy.

"It's a bit battered I think but it's beautiful," he commented on the orange armchair she brought in for appraisal.

The owner replied: "We kind of thought the same thing. I especially thought that when my husband brought them home after picking them up in a charity shop for £10. We've got two of them and £10 each he paid."

Hill, intrigued, asked, "Were you angry about this or were you happy when he turns up after being sent out for a pint of milk with two battered old chairs?"

Expressing her affinity for "mid-century furniture" despite the off-putting orange fabric.

As the conversation continued, she amusingly noted that the chairs were quite popular with the family pets: "The orange, the material, put me off a little bit. Doesn't put the dogs off. They enjoy them very much.

"So we have a dog sit on each one in the window looking out at the view."

Antiques Roadshow expert cries Heresy as guest makes candid confession about future of valuable battered chair (Image: BBC)

An Antiques Roadshow expert believed a 'battered' chair was created by designer Adrian Pearsall. (Image: BBC)

That wasn't the end of the surprises, Hill pointed out the chair's design features like its "curving lines" and "beautiful wood" invoking Scandinavian modernism and ultimately identifying the pieces as likely creations of American designer, Adrian Pearsall.

Hill explained: "So, Adrian Pearsall studied construction engineering at the University of Illinois and in 1952, he'd sort of moved more into furniture and he founded a company called Craft Associates which was well known for producing these very sort of sculptural, elegant forms. And I think this is one of his lounge chairs.

"If these were restored, I think they'd need to be a little bit sanded down and then the colour and the grain and the beauty of the wood brought back out.

"These are the original seat pads, which I know we don't like. You could replace them if you like but I'd tend to leave them as they were."

An Antiques Roadshow guest smiled as she admitted her dogs would continue to sleep on her valuable chairs. (Image: BBC) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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

Regarding the value, Hill estimated: "Clean off the dog hair and I think you're looking at, what, £600 each."

The owner of the chair was visibly delighted, responding: "Great. Thank you. Thank you very much."

Hill couldn't resist a playful jibe, remarking: "Not bad for a charity shop dive, is it?"

He then posed a final question about the fate of the chairs once home, asking: "Answer me one final question. When you get them home, are the dogs going to sleep on them?"

The owner admitted with a smile: "Probably", prompting Hill to react dramatically with a gasp, throwing his arms up and exclaiming: "Heresy!"

He concluded the exchange with laughter and expressed his gratitude to the guest for bringing in the chair for assessment.

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

BBC Antiques Roadshow expert throws arms in air as guest makes 'heresy' confession

BBC Antiques Roadshow expert throws arms in air as guest makes 'heresy' confession

BBC Antiques Roadshow expert throws arms in air as guest makes 'heresy' confession

BBC Antiques Roadshow expert throws arms in air as guest makes 'heresy' confession

BBC Antiques Roadshow expert throws arms in air as guest makes 'heresy' confession