ANTIQUES ROAD TRIP EXPERT SELLS TABLE WITH 'PERSONAL CONNECTION' FOR TRIPLE ITS COST
During an instalment of BBC's Antiques Road Trip, Philip Serrell found an item that instantly transported him to his childhood. Finding a table reminding him of his grandmother, the antique expert couldn't resist buying it for auction.
During the episode, Phil spotted a tiny wooden table as he walked over to it in the shop commenting on how sentimental he can be at times.
He said: "This reminds me of a little work table that my grandmother left me and I've passed it on to my daughter.
"I just really love this, this is made out of mahogany, and it's got flaps on the side."
Inspecting the timber, Phil said the quality was "really lovely".
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Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce and the regular BBC experts visited Clissold Park in Stoke Newington in the London borough of Hackney. Treasures such as a pair of carved wooden statues by the Baule and a selection of figures by the Meissen factory were floating around the tables. However, it was a 1920s ring that left expert Susan Rumfitt excited and her guests speechless when she revealed the staggering amount it would sell for if they auctioned it off.
Viewers were informed the item would have been used by ladies to keep their knitting and sewing materials in.
At the bottom of the table, there was a small basket which would have been used to keep balls of wool or thread.
Phil continued: "The thing I love about this is this leg, it's very reminiscent of a leg made by a firm called Gillows."
Speaking to the shop owner he managed to get it for £50 which he took with him to the auction house in Wrexham, Wales.
Speaking at the auction, he told co-star Natasha Raskin Sharp: "You know what, I love this little table."
She replied: "How could you not? With the personal connection as well."
Referencing it was his grandmothers, he told his co-host he hoped she looked after him when it came to selling.
With the bidding starting off at £90, already £40 over what it had cost, the figure started to rapidly increase.
At the back of the room one gentleman, who Natasha had spotted, was eager to buy the table as he kept putting in higher offers to outbid people in the room.
In the end, the item sold for a huge £170, making a £120 profit, congratulating her co-star, Natasha said: "Oh well done!"
Pleased with the result, Phil commented: "It kind of deserved it, didn't it?"
However, it was Natasha's majolica 1873 tea service set that stole the show.
After buying the set for £80, it wasn't long before offers started to climb from £75 to a staggering £400.
As the bids climbed, Natasha couldn't believe it as she commented: "Are you kidding! Is this happening?"
In the end, the set sold for a huge £670, stunned at the high price the antique expert commented: "Is this a joke? This is the best thing that has ever happened to me."
Antiques Road Trip is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.