Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest says ‘that’s a lot of money’ after hearing the value of his yard sale items (marketrealist.com)
A “Roadshow” regular gets a pleasant surprise after bringing his collection of mourning jewelry.
An “Antiques Roadshow” guest got the surprise of a lifetime when his collection of mourning and hair jewelry, amassed over 40 years from yard sales, flea markets, and auctions, was appraised for a staggering $90,000. The guest, initially speechless, simply exclaimed, “Wow!
That’s a lot of money!” The appraiser, Katherine Van Dell, later revised the estimate to an astounding $120,000.
The guest explained his fascination with the jewelry stemmed from the personal stories embedded within each piece. Van Dell highlighted the historical and societal significance of the collection, noting that mourning jewelry was a significant part of Victorian and Georgian eras. She described several pieces in detail, including a late Georgian brooch with woven hair under rock crystal and garnets, and a rare Georgian mourning ring from 1782 featuring a skull beneath a topaz setting.
Van Dell was particularly captivated by a piece depicting a mourning scene, crafted from woven human hair. She explained that such pieces were often made at home using kits and macerated hair. Another piece featured a woman in mourning holding a wheat sheaf, symbolizing eternal life and renewal.
The guest estimated he had spent approximately $6,000 on the collection, with individual pieces costing between $5 and $35, and one costing $900. Van Dell praised his curatorial eye and expressed confidence in the appraisal’s value.