An Antiques Roadshow guest was left speechless after expert Joanna Hardy valued her inherited gold bracelet at £5,000, far exceeding her expectations. The episode, filmed at Beaumaris Castle on Anglesey in north Wales, aired on BBC One on Sunday evening.
Expert Praises 'Extraordinary' Design
Joanna Hardy described the bracelet as 'extraordinary,' noting its raw, natural aesthetic. 'This bracelet is just glistening in the sun here,' she said. 'And we’ve got the gold nuggets which is as if they’d come out of the ground. I mean they just look extraordinary.'
The guest explained that her grandfather, an engineer working in the Frontino mines in Segovia, Colombia, during the 1930s and 1940s, had given the bracelet to her grandmother. She brought along photographs of her grandparents from their time in Colombia.
Historical Context and Valuation
Hardy noted that the design was ahead of its time for the 1930s, contrasting with the geometric Art Deco styles typical of the era. 'It’s just got that raw energy about it,' she remarked. The guest confessed, 'I love it when I wear it.'
After careful examination, Hardy delivered the valuation: 'If this bracelet came to auction, I think it would fetch in the region of £5,000.' The guest gasped, responding, 'Wow, okay, wow… that’s quite a lot more than I thought. Everybody says that I know. But really, that’s a lot more than I thought. Thank you very much!'
Expert's Delight at Reaction
Hardy, delighted by the guest's genuine surprise, said, 'Oh, you’ve made me tingle as well!' The episode also featured other items brought by visitors to the castle.
Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays on BBC One, with episodes available on iPlayer.
