“It’s a piece of history!” Antiques Roadshow guest is shocked by the dazzling value of a silk sampler passed down through her family since 1780
An Antiques Roadshow guest was shocked to discover that her family’s silk sampler was worth an eye-watering sum.
The woman presented the family heirloom on the BBC show on Sunday, which has been passed down to the female generation of her family since 1780.
The connoisseur could not believe his eyes at the ‘great’ work of art that was made by an 11-year-old girl at the time.
Silk samplers are made by young girls to get to know different designers, but can also show a snapshot of a checkered family past.
The expert said: ‘I have never seen such a good one. It seems to be three different scenes, a farming scene, a sailing scene and a scene from an exotic location.
Exciting: An Antiques Roadshow guest was shocked to discover her family’s silk sampler was worth an eye-watering sum
History: The woman presented the family heirloom on the BBC show on Sunday, which has been passed down to the female generation of her family since 1780
“This is a piece of weaving history and of an 11-year-old girl. This is amazing. They look like slaves behind the carts of tobacco, it’s a piece of history.’
The owner said, ‘It has been passed down to me through the female line since 1780.
“What worries us is where the design comes from, it’s not something you’d get out of a book in 1780.
“We didn’t know the family had connections to America and we never knew where the design came from.”
The antique TV star replied, “An 11-year-old is certainly guided, his silk on wool.”
“We normally see good ones for £5,000 but I think this is so good with his potential US connection.”
The guest was shocked to learn from the expert that it is now worth a staggering amount of money.
He said: ‘With its potential going up to auction I’d say it’s worth £10,000 to £15,000, it’s that good. I’ve never seen a photo taken by an 11-year-old this good.”
The guest couldn’t believe it and now wants to put it somewhere where her friends can appreciate the artwork.
She added: “I find it hard to believe that something like this could be worth so much money. We have to exhibit it somewhere.”
Unbelievable: The expert couldn’t believe his eyes at the ‘amazing’ artwork created by an 11-year-old girl at the time
Astonishing: This type of artwork normally costs around £5,000, but the guest was shocked to hear from the expert that it’s now worth a staggering amount of money
Wow! He said: ‘With its potential going up to auction I’d say it’s worth £10,000 to £15,000, it’s that good. I’ve never seen a photo taken so well by an 11-year-old’