11 February 2023 , 08:57
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An Antiques Roadshow guest broke down in tears over the jaw-dropping value of their plates, which were dubbed as ‘rare as you can get’ by experts on the show.
In the episode of the daytime BBC One show, viewers saw the guest being introduced to John Sandon - a glass and ceramics specialist who has been on the show since 1985 - where they showcased their two unusual plates to the expert.
Immediately, John was taken aback by the white, unusually shaped plates, which were decorated with images and a blue outline.
Inspecting the crockery, which were dated back to the 1600s, he told the guest: "They seem to be a matching pair of plates, but one's painted with a comical [Chinese man], and here you've got a figure of a king."
An Antiques Roadshow guest broke down in tears over the jaw-dropping value of their plates (BBC)“They're very peculiar," he said before asking the owner of the dishes: "What do you know about them?"
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The guest told John: “Well, I remember them on the wall of my husband's parents' house.
"And traditionally, in the family, they were said to be very valuable. But no one else seemed to know anything else about them.”
The guest continued: “In due course, they came to my husband. And when I asked him about them, he said all he knows about them is that they came from his mum's family."
The 'rare' plates were dated back to the 1600s (BBC)Inspecting the crockery’s design further, John noted: "What is curious is the palette and the colouring.
"We've got some nice mixes of colours, which does indicate really quite an early date."
The presenter added: "So we're looking back here into the 17th century.
“But one thing we do find in early Delft often are portraits of the reigning kings and queens of the time.”
Looking at the plate which depicted a king, he added: "So one wonders here what this chap might be - so they're a very splendid king with a sceptre.
“And I suppose he's holding a letter or a scroll - who do you think he is?" John asked.
"I really, really don't have a clue I'm afraid," the show’s guest admitted.
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The guest was left in shock by the £30,000 valuation (BBC)“So you've got a pair of plates here, probably made in London... but they're about as rare as you can get."
As the guest looked shocked, the expert continued: "I mean, this one is a bit of a shocking state, it's been broken in half and someone liked it enough to stitch it together, just about.
“But it's barely held together - but this is really quite an important piece of pottery because you've got a picture of the king on a rare plate with rare colours.
"So let's think, the perfect but Chinese subject one, shall we say - £10,000 to £20,000."
Immediately, the guest was astonished by the discovery, while John added: "The broken one, it's got to be more than that, so at least £30,000."
"Oh my god," the plate owner said, before face-palming in disbelief.
"Together as a pair, £30,000 or more," John noted.
Becoming emotional, the guest uttered: "I brought them in my handbag!"
"That's alright, a good strong handbag," John laughed.
*Antiques Roadshow airs Sunday on BBC One