Antiques Roadshow: Guest surprised by valuation of vase
Antique jewelry can often fetch some staggering sums on Antiques Roadshow, but one of the biggest additions to an auction value can simply be who’s worn the items.
Delving into the expensive business, Antiques Roadshow host Mark L Walberg was joined by appraiser and jewelry expert Rosalia Sayyah as they analysed three unique items worn by movie legend Vivien Leigh and Princess Grace Kelly before she traded Hollywood for royalty.
Rosalia revealed that all of the pieces were from the company Joseff of Hollywood during Joseff’s earlier days after being challenged to create modern and lavish jewelry to match the rapidly changing movie costume industry.
When Joseff’s work began taking off, becoming a staple across big and small screens, Rosalia revealed he had one last trick up his sleeve: “He never sold it to the movies, he only rented it.
“So he built this stockpile that could be used over and over and over again in different shapes, different movies, different composites.”
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Fans are used to seeing celebrities, whether on-screen or during red carpets and other lavish events, dripping in elaborate jewels but more often than not these items are rented, meaning individual pieces can pick up a string of A-list wearers during its time.
One particular item on the PBS show, a jaw-dropping elaborate necklace, was worn by Oscar winner Vivien Leigh in the legendary 1939 blockbuster Gone With the Wind.
Rosalia revealed that the gorgeous necklace “in a costume forum” would probably reach $1,200 to $1,500 in retail.
However, the fact that it was on Vivien’s neck could see the necklace going for nearly 10 times that amount, with the expert estimating $100,000 to $150,000.
The celebrity effect also sparked a new revenue stream for Joseff, as Rosalia explained he would often craft department-store replicas of the jewels he made for screen, so women in the audiences could buy their own pieces of luxury.
Using two pairs of gold and pearl earrings as an example, the expert revealed one that was worn by Princess Grace Kelly could go for “about $7,500” while the second pair Joseff made for fans would only cost around $225 to $250.
