Antiques Roadshow guest floored as she learns truth about rare item hidden in fake walnut shell

AN ANTIQUES Roadshow guest was floored after she learned the truth about a rare item hidden in a fake walnut shell.

During an episode filmed at Ham House in Richmond-upon-Thames, expert Hilary Kay met a lady with a tiny, but interesting item.

Hilary said: “I am holding what looks like a walnut shell, a little bit larger than a walnut. 

“It’s beautifully carved wood and it’s a walnut shell with a surprise because you open it up and the surprise is this tiny, tiny globe. 

“It’s a fabulous object, how did it get to be in your position?”

The lady explained her grandfather had bought it at a house sale and after he died her dad had kept it in a cabinet.

She added: “Until I was older I was never really allowed to open the globe.”

Hilary spun the tiny globe so the camera could zoom in on some of the names and said: “When I am turning it around in my hand there are some familiar countries on here and there are some unfamiliar names.”

The guest said she had initially been perplexed by the name New Holland on the globe, but Hilary explained: “New Holland was named by Abel Tasman the Dutch explorer and it remained as New Holland until the British Admiral decreed that the whole continent be called Australia.” 

Hilary said it had probably been made for aristocrats interested in geography as a bit of a novelty gift before pointing out some initials on the globe.

She said: “Here we have got the letter M and a C and a B which stands for Carl Bauer and they were in business as globe makers.”

She added it was a “real rarity” and the guest replied: “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that one.” 

Hilary then revealed the valuation, saying: “It’s in really good condition and I would say at auction I think we are talking between £4,000 and £5,000.”

The lady was stunned and said: “That’s mad. No, thank you – just keep it, thank you.” 

Antiques Roadshow airs on Sundays and is available on BBC iPlayer.