Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

There was a dealer here in town, a very Bohemian sort of lady who got interesting pieces. She would never tell you their provenance, so I have no idea from whence it came from her. She called me one day and she said, "I've got this piece that looks like you." It was relatively expensive 30 years ago.

APPRAISER

Okay.

GUEST

I paid $10,000 for it. I said, "Well, I've got to do a little bit of research "if I'm going to tell my husband I'm going to spend that much money for something."

APPRAISER

Right.

GUEST

I have to know a little bit about it. And the base of it actually has the label, which I'm not sure was the original label. I think it may have been the gilder that probably regilded the piece. And I went to the library and I was able to establish that it had been in York, England, in at least 1816 to 1820, because that was the address where his shop was during that period.

APPRAISER

Okay, okay.

GUEST

So I said, "Okay, I'm going to pony up and take it."

APPRAISER

Right.

GUEST

Well, it's been in my home ever since.

APPRAISER

First of all, this is one of the greatest pieces of English furniture I have ever seen in Antiques Roadshow. It is so exciting to see this cabinet covered in needlework. And you have this incredibly elaborate base with lion's paw feet.

GUEST

Oh, hairy paw feet, yeah.

APPRAISER

Hairy paw, exactly, with hair coming down the leg, trailing down. Let's look at it here. And trailing down, and then at the top, of course, these very fierce, bold lions.

GUEST

Wonderful lions.

APPRAISER

So all of these elements-- the flower heads, the acanthus leaf scrolls. Look at the drapery that draped across.

GUEST

Oh, the beautiful drapery.

APPRAISER

And laurel leaves with a beautiful shell and bellflower. And then this wonderful design on the top, these curled bellflowers. It even goes to the back and it's even carved on the inside of the legs, which is so beautiful. All of those elements, all of those characteristics are like a signature of this George II period of English furniture. This would have gone in a castle, basically, a big castle. The great thing is it's not a marriage. Top and bottom were made together.

GUEST

Together.

APPRAISER

In 1730, and that label was of a later gilding. We open it up... and inside, we've got more needlework. These scenes are great, the shepherdess here with her cane, it looks like he's proposing to her. The condition is wonderful. And of course, the sides are done as well. It's just covered, it's fantastic. What do you think this is worth?

GUEST

For my insurance?

APPRAISER

Yes.

GUEST

My guess was something around $40,000.

APPRAISER

Okay, well...

GUEST

That may be overly optimistic.

APPRAISER

We would place an auction estimate on this piece of $80,000 to $120,000. If this cabinet on a stand were properly conserved and regilded and brought back to that incredible gold color you can see peeking through...

GUEST

Oh, I know.

APPRAISER

That it had originally, the auction estimate would be placed at $150,000 to $250,000. And it could bring even over that. It may cost you $20,000 to $30,000, maybe even slightly more.

GUEST

I understand.

APPRAISER

But I think it would be worth it.

GUEST

It'd be worthwhile to do that.

APPRAISER

Thank you for coming.

GUEST

Thank you.

APPRAISER

Yeah, you've got an amazing piece. (laughs)

GUEST

Muah! (laughs)