12-06-2025
Antiques Roadshow guest wide-eyed as expert gasps 'I need time to come down from this', floored by 'trickiest item she's ever had to value' - before giving eye-watering verdict
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left wide-eyed as an expert gasped 'I need time to come down from this' in response to the 'trickiest item she's ever had to value'.
A repeat episode of the BBC show, which sees specialist appraisers value heirlooms and heritage items, went to Belton House near the town of Grantham, Lincolnshire.
Expert Hilary Kay met with a woman who had brought in a very unique item - the funeral standard of 17th-century English statesman Oliver Cromwell.
He led parliamentary forces in the English Civil Wars in the mid-1600s against King Charles I, helping to overthrow him before his execution in 1649.
The soldier and politician then led the Commonwealth of England that was quickly established, serving as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658.
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Hilary began the segment: 'Sheltering from a passing shower and sheltering with an object which is, I feel, almost radioactive with power.
'It's a very interesting phenomenon to be this close to something that is really quite important.
'I'm recognising, immediately, the personal standard of Oliver Cromwell.
'It's a name we all know but let's just put him into his place in history.
'He was one of the signatories to the death warrant for instance to Charles I.
'Very much involved with the regicide, killing of the King, and then he became in 1653 what was known as the Lord Protector of England.
'It was after the Civil War and he ran the country essentially from 1653 to 1658 and that is his importance in English history and why this object has such resonance.'
The woman explained how such an incredible object came into her possession: 'It was in a collection about seven years ago. My father actually bought the collection of militaria.
'We now own it as a family. It's actually kept in one of our spare rooms and as you say, it's one of those objects that make you tingle.'
The antiques expert agreed: 'It does make you tingle because this is the standard that was part of the funeral procession of Cromwell's on November 23, 1658, and this was extraordinary.'
Pointing to all the regal imagery on the object, she continued: 'Here was the non-King being revered really as a King with a royal crown.
'It is an extraordinary image that we have here which was totally against everything that he stood for.'
The pair discussed how the standard had been stolen by a young boy in the crowd during the funeral procession, with Hilary saying: 'It's just brilliant.'
The guest added: 'My whole family's been into history for generations and my maternal grandparents are actually founding members of The Sealed Knot, the re-enactment society for the Civil War.'
Hilary was delighted to hear this further detail: 'Which is amazing, what a coincidence! It was meant to end up with you.'
In a heart-warming, sincere moment, the woman replied: 'Absolutely, I believe so.
The pair discussed how the standard had been stolen by a young boy in the crowd during the funeral procession, with Hilary saying: 'It's just brilliant'
'Because we're the kind of people who really want to look after it and preserve it and make sure it's seen by everyone it should be seen by for generations, I guess.
'It's a real treasure, it's a pleasure to own.'
Incredibly complimentary about the historic item, Hilary said it had been 'beautifully restored' - and will continue to need good looking after.
She added: 'However great your spare room is - and I'm sure it has almost museum-like qualities - I do think, even if it went on loan somewhere, I think it deserves to be looked after.'
With all this anticipation built up, about an item with such historical value, the valuation could not come sooner - and it did not disappoint.
Hilary said: 'This is about the trickiest thing I've ever had to value.
'It is certain to fetch £25,000 but how much more would it go for?'
The wide-eyed guest was rendered absolutely speechless, with Hilary saying: 'It's going to take me a little while to come down from this.
'It'll take a couple of bars of chocolate and a cup of tea but this has been a really special moment with a really extraordinary object, don't you agree?'
It comes after another repeat episode saw a guest gasp 'I can't believe that!' as he learned the staggering value of a watch bought for £300 - while the crowd erupted into applause.
The instalment of the BBC show, which sees specialist appraisers value heirlooms and heritage items, went to Brodie Castle in the Moray area of Scotland.
In the episode that reran on Sunday, expert Richard Price was asked to assess a 1960s Rolex GMT-Master watch.
The guest said he had owned the timepiece for 32 years, having inherited it from his uncle, who he thought most likely received it as a gift in the sixties.
Inspecting it further, Richard was delighted to find it unaltered - a rare outcome, as watches are often modified when their owners take them in for servicing.
The appraiser told the guest how watch repairs normally go: 'They would've changed the bezel and they would've changed the dial with an upgrade.
'You would've had it back thinking, "Oh, it looks new." Collectors hate that.'
As to this particular timepiece, by contrast, Richard noted: 'It's absolutely original - spot on.'
The expert estimated the watch would have cost around £300 to £350 when the guest's uncle bought it back in the sixties.
The guest simply replied: 'Wish [my uncle] bought more.'
But even the single watch proved a good investment - as Richard valued it as now being worth £12,000 to £15,000.
The owner was left in utter shock, as the crowd broke into applause.
He exclaimed: 'I can't believe that, can't believe that.'
