A recent episode of the BBC's Antiques Roadshow delivered a classic moment of television surprise, as a guest discovered the staggering worth of a pair of family heirlooms with an extraordinary polar history.
Antarctic Heritage on the Valuation Table
Filmed at Pitzhanger Manor and Gallery in Ealing, West London, and presented by Fiona Bruce, the show welcomed a visitor with a remarkable family connection. She brought in two soup bowls and a painting, all linked to her grandfather, Reginald Skelton. Skelton served as one of the first officers on the pioneering Scottish National Antarctic Expedition, a landmark voyage in exploration history.
The painting was a depiction of Antarctica by the renowned artist and explorer Edward Wilson, who perished with Scott on their tragic return from the South Pole. Expert Fuschia Voremberg examined the items, noting the Royal Doulton crest on the back of the china. "These soup bowls are so fun," the guest remarked, to which Fuschia added, "This is the actual china that the officers would've eaten their soup out of."
The Jaw-Dropping Valuation
After praising the painting's "amazing" colours, Fuschia Voremberg delivered her professional assessment. She valued each of the historic soup bowls at an eye-watering £3,500. The painting, which featured a heartfelt inscription from Wilson to the guest's grandfather, was given a value of £7,000.
When asked how she felt, the astonished owner replied, "A bit astonished, quite honestly. I've never really sort of thought about value. And certainly we would never sell them. They'll just go down through the family."
A Previous Episode's Valuable Twist
This isn't the first time Antiques Roadshow has revealed incredible hidden value in seemingly ordinary items. In a previous episode, a guest brought in his father's Omega Speedmaster watch, purchased for just £59 in 1971.
Expert Alastair Chandler identified it as a rare model with an unusual dial configuration, a "real classic" that seldom appears at auction. He revealed that a similar watch had sold for just over £50,000 in December 2024. Despite the staggering figure, the guest, though amazed, confirmed he had no plans to sell, quipping that his dad had "chosen wisely."
Antiques Roadshow continues to uncover Britain's hidden treasures, with new episodes airing on BBC One and iPlayer.
