Antiques Roadshow guest speechless as item which 'sat in the corner' given five-figure value
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Viewers of Antiques Roadshow were left astounded when two sisters discovered the astonishing value of a family heirloom that had been used as an unusual Christmas decoration. The siblings, who brought a colossal bronze statue of Napoleon to be appraised at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich, couldn't believe their ears when BBC expert John Foster revealed the piece could be worth a staggering £20,000 to £30,000.
The majestic statue, which features Napoleon perched on a vast plinth, was more than just an ornamental figure; it was crafted from cannons seized at the Battle of Waterloo and was dismantled during a period of disfavour towards the historical figure.
John Foster told the awestruck sisters: "Purely on size and scale, I don't think this is something you would buy on your grand tour, or your trip to that area. This is, for me, more important than that.". Indicating it might have belonged to someone intimately connected with the restoration of a column associated with the military titan, reports the Express.
He continued, highlighting the item's rarity: "It's someone who's been involved in the restoration of the column. I think this is a presentation piece to someone of note, someone who was involved in some way. "That's something that makes it more special. It's a real statement piece, and it is a tricky one to value.".
