Antiques Roadshow guest amazed as charity shop find worth thousands

An Antiques Roadshow visitor couldn't believe it when he was told that his £30 charity shop gem was worth a fortune.

The valuation, which took place at Scarborough's Grand Spa Hall, saw expert Will Farmer and the guest bond over their shared ownership of a stunning Italian figurine.

Farmer reminisced: "25 years ago, let's say at the modest age of 13-years-old, I walked into an antique fair and acquired my very own example. Exactly the same. But tell me, where's yours from?"

The owner revealed his find, saying: "I bought it in Whitby about six months ago at a charity shop", prompting Farmer to utter in disbelief, "good grief".

Curious, Farmer enquired about the purchase price, with the guest disclosing the bargain figure of just £29.95.

After praising the guest for his "seriously good eye", Farmer was keen to know what drew him to the artwork, with the guest sharing that he had spotted the "beautiful" piece on and recognised it as a Lenci creation thanks to the programme.

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Farmer elaborated: "Well you've said that wonderful name. Lenci in the 1920s and 1930s were really the jewel in the crown of the Italian ceramic industry.

"And if we look underneath, the nice thing about Lenci is they are very clearly marked.

"Lenci, made in Italy, and the name of this piece, which is Angelita alla Corrida.

"Now Lenci in the 1920s and 1930s were really at the pinnacle of what they were doing.

"They were formed by a young lady called Helen Konig Scavini and Scavini was a very well travelled lady.

"She actually originated from Germany, ended up in Switzerland and married an Italian to then just settle in Turin.

"And what started out as a cottage industry actually making felt dolls, by 1928, her work had grown into this wonderful ceramic firm, making really what are classed now as some of the most wonderful deco figures of the period.

"They epitomise the style, the chicness, the essence of that day."

Farmer clarified it cost the guest just under £30, joking that he let the shop have the extra 5p.

The expert said: "Oh well done, that's good, because if I say to you we need to, very comfortably, move the decimal point, your £29.95 realistically now is worth £2,500 to £3,000."

Upon finding out the figure, the guest smiled: "Good grief. Really? Astonished at that."

"These are incredibly desired figures the over, particularly with the Italians, they love them", Farmer commented.

"And I have to say, I love mine as well so we're both in very good company."

The guest added: "That's wonderful, thank you so much. That's incredible."

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC .