British households could be unknowingly sitting on a potential goldmine, with valuable collectables gathering dust in the most overlooked corners of the home, according to a leading TV auctioneer.
From Garden Sheds to Auction Riches
Yorkshire Heritage Hero Angus Ashworth has highlighted that cupboards, attics, and particularly garden sheds often conceal items of surprising worth. While these objects might seem like junk at first glance, they can fetch significant sums if they find the right buyer. Ashworth emphasises that you don't need to live in a stately home to make a valuable discovery.
"A lot of the value now is in the quirky, weird and wonderful," he said. "Gardens and sheds are frequently overlooked, but they can hide some of the most interesting and valuable finds." He pointed to garden urns as a prime example, noting their value can range from a modest £50 up to an astonishing £10,000 at auction. A decent pair of Victorian cast metal urns could reasonably achieve £500 to £800.
Changing Tastes and International Demand
Ashworth, who is set to star in the new show Angus Ashworth: Yorkshire Heritage Hero, explained that the ongoing popularity of the 'country house look' – fuelled by period dramas – is driving demand. "No one has an 'antiques sale' anymore – it's always a 'country house sale'," he observed. This trend creates a strong market for dark furniture, lighting, soft furnishings, and decorative garden pieces.
Overseas buyers from Europe, North America, and Australia are particularly enthusiastic for these quirky British items, helping to keep values steady. This is crucial for families who act as custodians of historic estates and may need to sell treasures to fund urgent repairs.
The New Generation of Collectables
Collecting habits are also evolving. While older generations accumulated many possessions, younger people often prefer one or two statement pieces. This shift influences what comes to market and what holds its value. Nostalgia plays a powerful role, with strong demand for items from the 1980s and 1990s.
"Early games consoles and first-edition Harry Potter books can sell for far more than they ever cost originally," Ashworth noted. Among the more unusual items he has handled was a set of 19th-century blue glass condom moulds, used to shape pig-intestine contraceptives, which sold for around £260.
His best-ever find, however, was an Army Gold Cross from the Napoleonic Wars, which can command between £60,000 and £80,000. He advises homeowners to always check the potential value of items before assuming they are worthless, as markets for things like ceramics and tea services still have dedicated collectors.
Angus Ashworth: Yorkshire Heritage Hero airs Mondays at 9pm on REALLY.
