Antiques Roadshow guest fights back tears as he learns ‘shocking’ value of vase with very lucky details passed on by deceased boss

An Antiques Roadshow guest had to fight back tears after learning the “shocking” value of a vase he was given by his late boss.

The show’s resident pundit Lee Young was taken aback by an article brought in by a man from Dundee.

He told viewers in Sunday’s episode that the vase may have traveled to Britain from Japan more than a century ago.

The guest told Dundee’s RRS Discovery expert it was given to him by someone very close to him.

He said: “I inherited it from someone who is very dear to me and he passed away about 10 years ago. with very fortunate particulars conveyed by the late chief

‘It means a lot to me. He was adamant that I should have it.

He revealed that he had admired the vase for years when its previous owner was still alive and explained that he first saw it while working for his boss.

The guest said to Lee: “When I was working for him, I always looked up to him and he asked, ‘Well, what do you want when I die?’ Do you want the mirror in the hall or the vase?”

“I said, ‘I just don’t want you to die, I’m not going to tell you.’

He then explained that before his boss got sick, he promised that the vase would come through.

And Lee was clearly touched, telling the sobbing guest: “Well, it’s a very, very nice gift in sad circumstances, but it’s a very nice gift.”

He then went on to reveal the history behind the beautiful vase.

He said, “This is a type of ware called Satsuma ware, from Japan.”

Giving more context, Lee told the man that Satsuma products were first introduced to the West in Paris in 1867.

He said: “We went crazy to say the least! They were adorned with these wonderful rich gilts and just very lush and rich decoration. Then actually what we see here, a popular subject, were processions, and we see a procession here.

Looking across the vase, the BBC star explained the significance of the figures covering it, both mounted and carried in carriages.

But one element that shocked Lee the most was the size of the vase.

He said: “What I like about it is the scale, I mean it’s huge. That is, for a Satsuma vase of this type. I mean, often the ones we see are very small, very good.

He then suggested that the vase could date back over 100 years to the late 19th century.

Lee pointed to the base of the vase, highlighting its authenticity and the maker’s mark that it had been made by Ryozan and Kyotio.

Speaking about its value, the antiquities expert said: “It’s such an impressive thing. It is such an impressive size. I think if it came on the market today this would easily fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.

The guest was visibly shocked by the assessment and became emotional.

Holding back tears, she said: “It’s pretty special. This is very – I get emotional because it reminds me of the man (who gave it to him).

“For me, this is the most important thing. But it’s a huge amount of money, it’s pretty amazing. Shocking, actually. It’s quite shocking.

That wasn’t the only interesting find, in last week’s episode one guest was left completely stunned to learn that his £45 watch is now worth more than his pension.

The guest’s “extremely rare” watch saw the BBC crowd gasp with delight at his prized possession after hearing its value.

The guest said he received the watch for his 21st birthday shortly after joining the Merchant Navy.

The watch, of which only a few hundred were made, is now worth £40,000 and the guest told valuer Richard it was worth more than his pension.