PREVIEW

A long-lost Victorian brooch, initially procured for £20, sold for more than £11,500 at auction on Tuesday (19March2024).
It was discovered by art historian Flora Steel, who realised its true worth after watching a 2011 episode of BBC show Antiques Roadshow.
The brooch, adorned with coral, lapis lazuli, and malachite stones, was crafted by the renowned Gothic Revival artist William Burges.
Steel acquired the brooch but was initially unaware of its historical significance. However, last year she was watching an episode of the show on YouTube in which presenter Geoffrey Munn showed a page with sketches of brooches designed by the same Victorian-era architect and artist.
She says she and her daughter wore the brooch for years without realising its value.
“I originally wore the brooch for about five years on the green velvet lapel of a favorite coat,” Steel recalls. “When both the coat and the wearing of brooches went out of fashion, it remained in my London wardrobe for another 20 years until my daughter-in-law found it and started wearing it. So, when the clip popped up out of the blue last March, I was so shocked!”
Astonishingly, this wasn't the first time such a discovery occurred from someone watching this episode of the show, with two similar brooches previously identified, one selling for £31,000 and the other acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A).
Named after the bride, Caroline Gibson, the brooch was part of a set made for her wedding to Reverend John Gibson, a significant figure in the Gothic Revival movement and a relative of Admiral Lord Nelson.
Steel had the brooch valued by Gildings auctioneers, and also took it on Antiques Roadshow last year, where Munn again confirmed its value.
Following widespread interest, the brooch went under the hammer at Gildings auction house, fetching a hammer price of £9,500, or more than £11,500 with buyers’ premium.
“We were thrilled and astonished that for an almost unbelievable third time, a chance viewing of Antiques Roadshow had led to a lost Burges brooch finding its way to our saleroom,” comments Gildings director Will Gilding.
“The intrinsic value of this item of jewellery is completely irrelevant. The modest choice of materials, rather than precious gemstones, set in silver, probably would equate to little more than £30. The hidden value here purely lies in the designer and history behind it.”
Feeling too nervous to attend the auction in person, Will called Flora immediately after the sale to inform her of the result.
She adds: “The whole process of making the discovery, appearing on one of my favourite TV programmes and now seeing the brooch sell has been such an unexpected and joyful experience!”