Antiques Roadshow guest WINCES as she learns eye-watering value of ‘forgotten’ teapot she dumped in the garage

An Antiques Roadshow guest was shocked to discover the staggering value of a ‘forgotten’ teapot she had dumped in the garage.

Sunday’s episode of the BBC show was held at the Botanic Gardens in Belfast and saw expert Gordon Foster present some very special items.

“Well, you brought this teapot and milk jug today,” he began.

‘People at home will be shouting at their screen, people who know what it is.

‘It was designed by Christopher Dresser, a pivotal designer in the late 19th century.

“And I heard someone say, ‘it looks like art deco’ and it looks like art deco from the twenties or thirties, but it’s actually the early eighties.”

Sunday’s episode of the BBC show was held at the Botanic Gardens in Belfast and saw expert Gordon Foster present a very special item

The expert stated that the objects in front of him were highly recognized by those in the know.

When asked how she came across these items, the owner replied, “Well, I found it one day when I was sorting through the kids’ soccer shoes in the garage.

‘There was a crumpled newspaper, so I took it out, thinking it might be football boots, and then I came across this. I had completely forgotten about it.’

Foster asked, “So part of it was that you inherited? ‘, to which she confirmed, ‘Yes, it actually comes from my grandmother’s family.’

The expert explained that the piece was ‘so ahead of its time’, with the designer creating Art Deco pieces before they even became popular.

‘At the same time, in the 1880s, in the Victorian era, the tea sets were much larger, covered in floral decoration. So this was completely in contrast to all of that,” he explained.

‘Christopher Dresser went to Japan with a trade delegation in 1876 and was inspired by the Japanese shapes he saw there.

“He saw early Japanese teapots, cooking utensils, and this is what he drew inspiration from.

The expert stated that the objects in front of him were highly recognized by those in the know

When asked how she came across these items, the owner replied, “Well, I found it one day when I was sorting through the kids’ soccer cleats in the garage.

As for the valuation, Foster revealed the items were worth a whopping £3,000 – £5,000.

“It was completely against the grain of fashion at the time, so he was really avant-garde in what he did.”

After examining the piece more closely, Foster said the silver-plated finish and design of the handlebars were influenced by Japanese bamboo handles.

He also described the handle of the teacup as ‘very decorative but also functional’ because it ‘serves perfectly’.

‘I love it because it’s so simple. So when would he have gotten the ability to create this kind of thing? ‘ the guest asked.

Foster replied: “He trained from a very young age. He went to design school in London in his teens.

‘He had an eye for design and that culminates in something like this. It’s actually more of a work of art than a teapot.’

As for the appraisal, Foster revealed, “Well, we’re getting to the appraisal now. If this were to hit the market, there would be a lot of people interested in buying it.

“You’re looking at £3,000 to £5,000 comfortably.”

Surprised by the large amount, the gambler laughed before Foster added: “It’s an excellent example.”

The guest replied, “No idea! If I had known that, I wouldn’t have stopped at the football boots!

“I don’t know how they got the football boots.”

When asked what she’ll do with the item, the guest joked, “Maybe take it to the bank,” while the expert chuckled.