The surprising item was valued at an impressive sum(Image: BBC)

BBC Antiques Roadshow guest thrilled as charity shop find is worth thousands

A guest on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow was left amazed after it was revealed that his charity shop find was worth thousands of pounds during the latest episode of the hit show

by · Wales Online

An Antiques Roadshow guest was left speechless when his charity shop treasure was valued at a very big sum, reports suggest. The episode, filmed at The Grand Spa Hall in Scarborough, saw BBC expert Will Farmer share a personal connection with the guest over a 'beautiful' Italian figurine.

According to The Express, Farmer reminisced: "Twenty-five years ago, let’s say at the modest age of 13-years-old, I walked into an antique fair and acquired my very own example. Exactly the same. But tell me, where’s yours from?"

To Farmer's astonishment, the guest explained that he'd bought it six months ago at a charity shop in Whitby. He'd snagged the item for just £29.25.

The guest was 'astonished' as his charity shop find turned out to be worth thousands(Image: BBC)

After praising the guest's 'seriously good eye', Farmer asked what drew him to the artwork. Remarkably, the guest had previously spotted a similarly 'beautiful' piece on Antiques Roadshow and identified it as a Lenci design.

Farmer then went on: "Well, you've said that wonderful name. Lenci in the 1920s and 1930s were really the jewel in the crown of the Italian ceramic industry. And if we look underneath, the nice thing about Lenci is they are very clearly marked.

"Lenci, made in Italy, and the name of this piece, which is Angelita alla Corrida. Now Lenci in the 1920s and 1930s were really at the pinnacle of what they were doing.

"They were formed by a young lady called Helen Konig Scavini and Scavini was a very well travelled lady. She actually originated from Germany, ended up in Switzerland and married an Italian to then just settle in Turin.

"And what started out as a cottage industry actually making felt dolls, by 1928, her work had grown into this wonderful ceramic firm, making really what are classed now as some of the most wonderful deco figures of the period. They epitomise the style, the chicness, the essence of that day."

Congratulating the guest, Farmer then unveiled that his £29.95 purchase was now realistically worth £2,500 to £3,000. Unsurprisingly, the guest found this 'incredible', adding that he was utterly 'astonished' by that.

"These are incredibly desired figures the world over, particularly with the Italians. They love them," Farmer summarised.

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.