The Fabergé floral item has been described by the television show’s executive producer, Simon Shaw, as “one of the most significant jewellery finds in 40 years of its [Antiques Roadshow] history”.
British jewellery specialist and Antiques Roadshow presenter Geoffrey Munn was reportedly “stunned” when shown the piece during filming of the latest season. He valued the item at approximately £1 million (AU$1.7 m).
The announcement was made on the television program’s Twitter account, with the tweet reading: “We’ve had one of the most significant jewellery finds in the #AntiquesRoadshow history.”
One onlooker was quoted in multiple media reports as stating that there was a “stunned intake of breath” when the valuation figure was revealed.
"The flower is only about four inches high but too big and heavy to be a brooch and is more like an ornament. He [Munn] thought it could even make somewhere between 1.2 to 1.4 million pounds," the onlooker added.
Unique Fabergé history
According to multiple media reports, two soldiers presented the item to Antiques Roadshow producers.
The soldiers’ army regiment had reportedly received it as a gift for the success in the turn-of-the-century Boer War and had kept the piece in a vault.
Reports also suggested Queen Elizabeth II owned a “very similar” Fabergé piece.
Founded in St Petersburg in 1842 by Gustav Fabergé, the House of Fabergé is renowned for producing elaborate encrusted Fabergé eggs.
The history and exact value of the Fabergé item is set to be revealed on the show later this year.
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