A guest on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow was left gobsmacked after his painting of William Prescott and items belonging to him received a five figure valuation.
Fiona Bruce was back for another episode of the popular Sunday night programme, where a number of guest were given the chance to see their much-loved items valued by experts. This week, Fiona and her team were in Liverpool.
During the episode, which previously aired earlier this year, a guest bought in a painting and belongings from his executed ancestor, William Prescott. Expert Adam Schoon spoke favourable about the portrait of William, who was on the execution scaffold of the Seventh Earl of Derby in 1651.
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But putting a value on all the items the guest was in disbelief when Adam said it could be worth £18,000-£20,000 altogether. But despite the huge figure, the guest admitted that he would still like to keep hold of the items.
(Image: ITV)
One fan fumed the item was “too grim to sell”, writing on X: “Anyone else feel like it’s super macabre to sell that executed earl’s stuff on Antiques Roadshow, grim.”
Talking about his pieces in more detail, the guest said: “Well, William was a great friend of the Seventh Earl of Derby. He served in the war with him. And then in 1651 the Seventh Earl, by decree of Parliament, for high treason was executed.
“So he [William Prescott] went right to the scaffold with him.”
As well as the painting, the guest also showcased a selcection of “keepsake” items. Tis included a pair of large pale yellow suede gloves, a leather skull cap, a small portrait of, what was assumed to be, the Seventh Earl and a paper that had writing on it.
(Image: BBC)
Sharing more insight, Adam revealed the artefacts were passed onto William not long after the execution of the Seventh Earl took place. However the guest also revealed that William was “asked to put his foot on him to make sure he didn’t wiggle through the execution”.
He then said the gruesome story was “all recorded by witnesses”. Suprised by the chilling detail, Adam replied: “Golly, it’s powerful stuff!”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
