An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned after a broken garden statue was valued at £30,000. The item, which had been damaged and left in a garden, was brought to the BBC show for assessment. Expert Bunny Campione identified the piece as a rare 19th-century Italian marble statue, despite its missing arm and chipped base.
The owner had inherited the statue from a relative and had considered throwing it away. Campione explained that the statue's age and craftsmanship, even in its damaged state, made it highly valuable. She noted that similar intact pieces could fetch up to £50,000 at auction.
The guest expressed shock at the valuation, saying they had no idea the statue was worth so much. They confirmed they would now repair and keep the item, rather than discard it. The episode is set to air later this year.
