On the Monday, May 11, episode of Antiques Roadshow, which took place atGrant’s Farm in St. Louis, Mo., a guest showcased a burnt orange suede purse with a colorful gemstone detail.
"I just picked it up in a thrift store and liked it, and thought it was pretty," he tells appraiser Katherine Van Dell, adding that he purchased it in 2018 or 2019."It's an absolutely exquisite art deco purse," Van Dell says. She explains that the gemstone design is constructed with platinum and contains rubies, emeralds, sapphires and old European-cut diamonds.
"This style in the Art Deco period would be known as Tutti Frutti, and it was made really popular by a specific maker, Cartier," she continues. "So right when you brought this to the table, I immediately thought to myself, 'Is that Cartier?'"
Van Dell says she was able to confirm that the item was indeed Cartier when she opened the bag and saw the name of the French fashion house written inside.
Cartier bag on 'Antiques Roadshow.'
Credit: Antiques Roadshow/TikTok
After the guest tells Van Dell he paid $1.50 for the item, she asks, "Do you have any idea of what you think it's worth?""I was hoping maybe $2,000 or $3,000," he replies."Conservatively, in an auction situation today, it's worth about $35,000," says Van Dell. "And that's fair market value."The guest then becomes visibly emotional. "Wow. Well, that's something. Sorry," he says as he wipes away tears.
"No, it's wonderful," Van Dell replies. "You're an expert looker, and a wonderful picker, and you have an incredible eye to be able to spot this."
She adds that insurance on the item "would easily be over $100,000."
"Wow," the guest says again, before adding, "It was worth the trip. It's been so much fun. We've just been treated like royalty, and I just feel so welcomed."
Antiques Roadshow posted a clip of the shocking appraisal to TikTok, with many users expressing how moved they were by the man's reaction.
"He teared up knowing that $35k is life changing for him. Wow," one wrote.
"I’m so happy for him. What a gentle soul," said another.
A third shared that they "love to see people win."
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