An Antiques Roadshow expert was left amazed on Sunday night’s instalment of the BBC One show after a guest brought his late aunt’s jewellery to be valued at the V&A museum in Dundee.
The unknowing owner handed over a dazzling gold bracelet and a kunzite-stone brooch to be valued by expert Susan Rumfitt – and the guest couldn’t quite believe his ears at the staggering price tags.
Lifting the lid on the history behind the gorgeous jewellery items, the BBC guest revealed that his late aunt Myra had been gifted the pieces in the 1960s.
And before she passed away in 2002, she knew she wanted to leave them with her beloved nephew.
Alongside the two eccentric pieces of jewellery, the owner of the items also brought along a vintage postcard belonging to his late aunt which read ‘with love from Russia’, signed by a mystery man called Bruno.
Unfortunately, the owner had no idea who Bruno was, admitting that his aunt never clarified where the stunning pieces of jewellery had come from.
"I don't know who Bruno was, it was a postcard sent to my aunt Myra in 1969,” he explained.
"She told me that was hand made by an Italian jeweller but she gave no name and just said, 'Look after it, it's very special'."
After piecing the connection between Bruno’s postcard and the precious items of jewellery, antiques expert Susan quickly realised the guest’s late aunt had been incredibly generous with her gifts.
The expert went on to suggest that the items could well have been designed by a famous Italian jeweller.
"This Bruno was very special to her as well by the sounds of things," Susan suggested.
"There was an Italian jeweller working in the 1960s called Bruno Martinazzi.
"He was born in Turin and developed a skill as a goldsmith whilst he was out there as well."
The antiques guru went on to explain that the daring designer was also incredibly talented in art – a hobby which the guest’s late aunt also enjoyed as an avid LGBTQ activist in the 60s.
“She studied art - she was an art and textile lecturer at Sheffield university," the guest revealed.
Expert Susan then went on to reveal the value of the two special items.
Sharing her thoughts on the unusual bracelet, Susan revealed that she would expect the gorgeous piece to be valued at £1800 to £2000 - much to the delight of the owner.
As regard to the brooch, she said she would expect it to be auctioned at a whopping £6,000.
Naturally, the ecstatic guest reveled in this information and placed his head in his hands in sheer disbelief at the value.
