AR: Guest surprised by Dutch Delf plate valuation
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left “shaking” after an expert unveiled the true value of an “extraordinarily rare” plate.
The BBC series travelled to Wightwick Manor in Wolverhampton to film another episode of the hit daytime series with plenty of visitors bringing their treasured items for appraisal.
One of which was met by expert Fergus Gambon who took a closer look at a plate which got him “scratching my head”.
He immediately gave the pensioner some new information as he revealed that the item was Dutch delft when she was previously told it was English.
Gambon elaborated: “No it’s definitely Dutch and it’s delft, in other words, it’s a tin-glazed earthenware, it’s got a white glaze on it so it looks blue and white and it’s painted in a really wonderful and spirited way with a naval engagement, a battle scene.”
Speaking of how it came to be in her possession, the visitor explained: “It belonged to my godmother and she actually sort of had a birthday cake for my father’s 80th birthday which she presented it on the plate and after we’d eaten the cake, she gave me the plate. So that’s how we got it.”
Taking a closer look at the decorative plate, Gambon spotted that among the naval battle scene, there is a whaling boat harpooning an unfortunate animal, a point he would later return to.
“The scene itself reminds me of the famous Dutch artist Van de Velde of the Battle of Solebay, a little place off the coast of Southwold in 1672. The Battle of Solebay was part of a war between the Dutch and the English that was essentially over trade.
“So perhaps I think this isn’t a fine work of art but a humble piece of painted pottery so we can’t take it too literally. But what you’ve got is a battle and I think a bit of symbolism here in the whaling, because it’s a battle over trade, it’s a battle over the fruits of the sea.”
Gambon continued: “The plate’s giving us a message here, the things that supply what we have on the border, because in the border we have a very handsome well-dressed gentleman, dressed in the fashions of the late 17th Century, I think that’s when this plate was made.
“And we’ve got a lady at the bottom who may have some relation to him, he certainly seems to be giving her a look downwards. So when you look closely at her, perhaps you can see why he’s giving her a strong look.
“This is the pleasures of the flesh, the pleasures of leisure, you have two figures from the commedia dell’arte, the Italian comedy series. This might be representing the arts."
Ready to conclude, the expert stated: “So yes, it’s a fascinating and extraordinarily rare late 17th Century plate. I think a realistic sale estimate for this dish is going to be in the region of £3,000 to £5,000.”
The guest was visibly taken aback by the price, replying: “Good gosh. Woo. That’s a bit shaking that, actually.”
She and Gambon then began to laugh as she thanked him for the surprising appraisal.
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
