Antiques Roadshow viewers were stunned on Sunday when the owners of an “ugly toad decoration” were told the true value of their family heirloom.
Presenter Fiona Bruce and the show’s antiques experts traveled to Brodie Castle in Morayshire, Scotland to film the latest episode of the BBC show.
And fans were horrified when pundit Lee Young revealed how much the bizarre yellow three-legged toad was worth.
The jewel had been in the owner’s family for six decades, but the guest admitted he and his wife were at odds over the unusual piece.
The owner, who received the object as a birthday present from his mother, said: “I’ve known him as the ugly toad for about 60 years.” “My mother collected unusual objects.”
Shocked: Viewers of the Antiques Roadshow were stunned on Sunday when the owners of an “ugly toad decoration” were told the true value of their family heirloom
He jokingly added, “I love him, but not so much my wife.”
The expert dated the ornament as an 18th-century piece of Scottish pottery by Dunmore and described it as a “monochrome glaze masterpiece”.
He further revealed that the ornament is based on a mythical three-legged Chinese toad that brings luck or fortune to its owners.
Lee said, “I love the fact that it’s in this almost imperial yellow, rich, thick glaze.” The reason I say imperial yellow is because it’s actually based on a mythical Chinese toad.
“The myth has it that the three-legged toad would appear at your home on a full moon to foretell an event, usually luck or fortune. In fact, in China he is depicted with small coins in his mouth.”
He added: “I think he’s such a wonderful thing and despite all the things we’ve just discussed about him, I think he would easily have an estimate of £600-900 at auction and if himself two people would get excited about him, maybe ‘a little bit more.’
The Scot was shocked and gasped as he said: ‘Oh wow.’ I’m delighted about that.’
Lee added, “And I suspect he could do even a little bit more if two people got into him.”
Then Lee turned to the man’s wife and asked, “Do you like him a little more now?” to which she nodded and laughed, “Yes.”
Viewers didn’t seem too keen on the embellishment, with one writing on Twitter: “To each their own”
Another wrote: “My first reaction when I saw the frog was, ‘What the heck is that?’ But honestly it would be something I would have in my house.
Value: Fans were horrified when pundit Lee Young revealed how much a yellow three-legged toad was worth at an auction estimate of £600-900
Viewers didn’t seem too keen on the embellishment, with one writing on Twitter: “To each their own”
This comes after a guest was amazed at the value of her beloved diamond brooch, which she brought to the BBC show at Brodie Castle in Morayshire.
Expert Susan Rumfitt was delighted to take a look at the “unusual” and “stunning” diamond brooch, which the expert says dates to the Art Deco period of the 1930s.
She said, “That’s a gorgeous brooch.” “I hope you wear it every day,” to which the owner confirmed that she wore it “evenings” to “go out.”
The guest explained how she first came across the article: “It just passed down to the family from my grandmother.”
Susan continued, “The brooch dates to the 1930s, the height of the Art Deco period, which was really about having a great time in costume jewelry and partying.”
“So I can imagine your grandmother really had a wonderful time putting that brooch on. It has a kind of theatrical feel to it, doesn’t it? With those beautiful diamonds in there and everything, it just sort of plays itself out.”
Susan added, “In the 1930s, jewelry style was very similar to the ’20s in terms of boldness and impact as we see it here, but we’ve moved away from color and also focused on diamonds,” what is pretty extraordinary considering we had the Wall Street Crash and Depression in 1929.
“Well, one of the biggest designers behind the love of diamonds was of course Chanel, and she teamed up with DeBeers to promote the diamond industry.”
“And they were basically saying that diamonds are wearable, you can show the greatest value in the smallest amounts, this is by no means a small piece of jewelry, but it is wearable, so it’s no wonder so many people are turning to diamond jewelry when.” that’s how it is.” People like Chanel said that’s what you should do.
“It’s pretty stunning, isn’t it?” It’s a statement white gold case with a yellow gold back. The white gold at the top helps once again to really make the diamonds stand out. It’s absolutely wonderful.’
Shocked: An Antiques Roadshow guest was amazed at the value of her beloved diamond brooch, which she brought to the show at Brodie Castle in Morayshire
Stunning: Expert Susan Rumfitt was delighted to take a look at the ‘unusual’ and ‘stunning’ diamond brooch, which the expert says dates to the 1930s Art Deco period
Then Susan asked, “Have you ever thought how many carats the weight of the diamonds is?”
The guest estimated three before the expert revealed the weight was 14 carats and the value was £20,000.
She quipped, “Oh my god. That took my breath away. Oh crumbs, that brings tears to my eyes.’
“A really big surprise, I’m still shaking at the moment,” she later added, before the expert commented, “It was wonderful.” thought it would be worth so much because it was just amazing, amazing.”