BBC Antiques Roadshow guest ‘speechless’ as expert slaps £100k value on item ‘never seen’ before: ‘Doesn’t get any better!’
An Antiques Roadshow guest was left “speechless” after a jaw-dropping valuation of a never-before-seen Elizabethan textile collection thought to be worth at least £100,000.
Filming at the grand Wollaton Hall in Nottingham, expert Hilary Kay was visibly stunned when presented with a group of 16th-century items linked to the aristocratic Willoughby family – including a rare ivory silk satin sleeve and, in a historic first, a sleeve support known as a farthingale.
“It may not look very exciting, but I can tell you that the hair on the back of my neck is rising,” Kay said upon first examining the items, which had been tucked away in a box for years.
Textile historian Ninya Mikhaila, also known as The Tudor Tailor, explained: “These are textiles that belong to the Willoughby family. The Willoughby family actually owned Wollaton. They built Wollaton in 1588, so they’ve got a really strong connection to being here.”
Among the treasures was a bedspread and two pillowcases reportedly sewn by Queen Elizabeth I and her ladies-in-waiting during a stay at Hatfield.
One of those women, Margaret Willoughby, was sister to Sir Francis Willoughby, the coal baron who built Wollaton Hall.
“I tell you, it doesn’t it doesn’t get much better than this. The condition is incredible,” remarked Kay.
But the pièce de résistance was the satin sleeve – believed to belong to Lady Elizabeth Willoughby herself – and the astonishing discovery of the sleeve support.
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“The sleeve, I have to say, I’ve never seen another,” Kay remarked. “It is such an exciting moment to be faced with something from the 16th century, which is in such incredible condition.”
The sleeve’s craftsmanship included hot-stamped patterns, intricate slashing to reveal contrasting lining beneath, and a hoop sewn in to maintain its voluminous shape.
“Imagine it under candlelight — it would have shimmered and glittered,” Kay added.
Even more extraordinary was the revelation that the sleeve support may be a one-of-a-kind artefact.
“As far as I know, there isn’t one in any museum,” Kay said. “That is amazing. It’s a fantastic, incredibly important historical collection.”
Sharing another fascinating detail, Kay revealed that Lady Elizabeth Willoughby’s daughters had reportedly, “fought over her clothes when she died” because of how lavish they were.
When asked about the value of the item, Kay didn’t hold back: “I think we’re talking about a minimum of £100,000. And who knows how much more it could go for.”
Clearly moved, Mikhaila responded: “That’s complete shock! It’s very nice to think that their sleeve was here, wandering around these walls and around this garden.”
“And you know, probably not expecting a film crew,” she joked. “But wow, I’m a bit speechless.”