An Antiques Roadshow attendee was left astonished upon discovering the worth of a small trinket, noted for its rich historical significance.
The popular BBC program made a stop at Thirlestane Castle in the Scottish Borders to evaluate some hidden gems.
During the visit, antiques expert and journalist Marc Allum encountered a mother and son duo, who presented family heirlooms with ties to a Russian tsar.
The collection featured a grand portrait, a petite painting, and a gold snuffbox.
Marc found the snuffbox particularly intriguing, especially due to a handwritten note that detailed the importance of its engraving and its origin as a gift from a Russian tsar.
The guest shared that the snuffbox’s historical significance outweighed any financial worth it might possess.
Antiques Roadshow visited paid a visit to Thirlestane Castle in the Scottish Borders – and this mother and son brought along a collection of heirlooms
Among them was this snuffbox, with the pair left surprised upon learning its estimated monetary value
Antiques expert and journalist Marc Allum was on hand to offer knowledge, inspect and value the historical item
Upon examining the item, Marc estimated the snuffbox to be worth between £20,000 to £30,000.
The surprised owner responded: ‘That’s quite a lot for a little box, isn’t it?’
Marc said: ‘But it’s a little box with great history attached.’
Elsewhere, another guest was amazed as they learned the huge value of their rare box – as a show expert branded it the ‘best he’s ever seen’.
The BBC show’s spin-off, Unseen Treasures, featured a previously unaired clip from the team’s time at the Hill of Tarvit Mansion in Fife, Scotland.
Expert Gordon Foster met a guest who brought along a gold and quartz snuffbox dating back to 1815.
He told the visitor: ‘Well, I’ve seen many snuffboxes on the Antiques Roadshow over the years but I have to say, the snuffbox that you’ve brought in is one of the best I have ever seen.
‘It’s 18 carat gold, it’s Scottish, and it’s got this fabulous faceted citrine on top. Tell us how it’s come into your family.’
She explained how the box came from her husband’s side of the family – detailing how the couple inherited it from his grandmother.
Elsewhere, another Antiques Roadshow guest was surprised to discover the value of the snuffbox she brought along
During his inspection, Gordon discovered an inscription as well as the date marked as 1815. He remarked: ‘It’s a splendid inscription, isn’t it?
‘That’s a specialist engraver who’s done that part of the box, but there’s many other specialists who’ve been involved in the making of it.
‘The border is cast in 18 carat gold. The sides are incurved, and we have a special flush hinge on the back, so it’s a specialist hinge maker who’s done that. The stone itself will have been done by an Edinburgh lapidary specialist, who’ve cut the stones.
‘The colour of that stone, sometimes you’ll see that catalogued as smoky quartz. It’s got that golden, almost honey, whisky colour, to a deep, deep colour.
‘It’s a fantastic stone in its own right’, noting that it was made in Edinburgh.
Gordon added: ‘That must have been one real special friend, to have given a box like that’ and the guest clarified: ‘Yes, we don’t know why or what the relationship was between his friend.’
After a further examination, Gordon informed the guest: ‘If that turned up on the market, you would be looking at an estimate of £10,000 to £15,000.’
The guest appeared to be stunned by this, as they replied: ‘Oh, wow. That’s very nice to hear. Gosh!’
Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
