Antiques Roadshow shock as vase bought for just £1 has real value revealed

A vase showcased on the latest episode of Antiques Roadshow gave one woman a serious shock.

A stunning blue and green patterned vase decorated with birds was brought in to be valued at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire.

The woman who had presented the antique shared that it was originally purchased by her grandfather for the princely sum of a quid.

It turned out to be a creation from English potter William De Morgan, and was believed to have been made just before he decided to quit pottery in 1907.

The guest explained on Sunday’s show: ‘The story is that my grandfather was a ceramic potter and he was in Shaftesbury, and passed by a junk shop.

‘And he went in there and obviously didn’t show great enthusiasm because the price was about £1 and he bought it.’

The expert was impressed with the vase, saying it ‘has everything’ and pointed out its ‘arts and crafts design’.

She went on: ‘William De Morgan studied Persian design. He stopped potting in 1907 and I think this vase comes from a period just before that.

‘He is one of the really hot names in ceramic designs and just looking at it I’m not surprised.

‘I would happily estimate this vase at quite a bit more than £1, I would value it between £3,000 and £3,500.’

Needless to say a fair bit of profit has been made since it was picked up decades ago.

The lady was understandably stunned at the valuation and said: ‘I didn’t expect that.’

She added that it ‘stays in the family anyway’ and did not mention selling it.

Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays at 8pm on BBC One.

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