An Antiques Roadshow guest was left gobsmacked when a vase he saved from the tip was given a huge value.
The guest appeared on the BBC programme, which was being broadcast from Portchester Castle on the Hampshire coast, where he had bought along a vase he had saved from the local recycling centre.
He explained he had found a vase he liked on the shelf of a part of the tip where they put things out they thought people might want, and when he asked how much he wanted for it, the guy suggested a pound would do and handed it over.
Speaking on the BBC One show, he recalled: "Well, I take my gardening rubbish from time to time to our local recycling centres. They have a shed there where they put out things that might be reusable. I noticed this pot sitting on the shelf, so I asked the guy at the tip there how much he wanted for it and he said he’d like £1."
Expert Eric Knowles was impressed with the vase, and explained its origins.
"Your vase encapsulated the best of Pilkington lustreware. The man who was responsible for starting all the lustre decoration was William Burton," he revealed to the guest who seemed very impressed by its history.
He added: "But the decoration, you know what? You can think I’m bonkers, I want to hug it."
The guest concurred, sharing: "It’s absolutely gorgeous and it just amazes me that anybody should want to throw it away."
It was then that he was left open-mouthed as expert Eric revealed that the vase could be worth thousands of pounds, confirming: "The market is very healthy and the moment. This would make well in excess of £2,000."
He couldn't believe it, and vowed to never part with it.
"Good heavens, good heavens. I love it even more now if you think it’s worth that much. I certainly won’t be parting with it," he shared, pleased he had bought it in to be valued - but had no plans to sell it on to anyone else.
