In a long-running show based on informed opinions and appraisals, there are bound to be some tense and controversial moments from Antiques Roadshow.
From gags to scandals, here are 10 of the most uncomfortable moments ever on Antiques Roadshow.
1
Fake Civil War Appraisal
In 2001, two men named Russell Pritchard III and George Juno came on the show to make appraisals for Civil War era artifacts. However, the men were convicted of fraud after using the opportunity to make fake appraisals, and promote their business by undervaluing materials.
2
That’s Not Wine
After trying a bit of liquid from a bottle, glass expert Andy McConnell was shocked to find that he had just consumed urine from the 1840s… not wine.
3
Ivory
Expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan once refused to appraise an ivory disc, due to his, and the show’s stance against the trade of ivory. "I want to make it absolutely clear that myself and we in The Antiques Roadshow wholly and unequivocally disapprove of the trade in ivory.”
4
The Keno Brothers
Two frequent guests on the show are the Keno brothers; twins with an affinity for American antiques. However, the pair have been accused of bidding against each other at auction houses to artificially inflate the price of artifacts, as well as refusing to pay those auction houses.
5
“The Most Horrible Copy”
Expert Clive Farahar appeared to criticize a woman for her 19th century book’s “horrible” condition. However, when he discovered it was written by prominent botanistGeorge Bentham, he happily valued it at £1,500.
6
That’s Not Picasso
One art expert claimed that this odd sculpture of a face bore remarkable similarities to Pablo Picasso’s work, and that the owner could fetch $30,000-$50,000 for it. Only, it was later revealed that the sculptor was actually a high school student from 1973.
7
“How Small Was This Woman?”
Host Rachel Riley left expert David Harper uncomfortable after implying that this old bra-rack was abnormally flat-chested. “I know I am pregnant and everything - but how small was this woman?"
8
Scammed
The aforementioned Leigh Keno pressed charges in 2022 against a woman named Grace Lu, after she allegedly purchased $178,450 worth of goods from his store… and refused to pay. She also has allegedly scammed other prominent auction houses.
9
A Let Down
Expert Ronnie Archer-Morgan got everyone excited when he remarked that an African Kota tribe figurine like this one had recently been sold for over $200,000. However, after closer examination, the item was a copy worth only about $100.
10
A Fake
This woman in 2021 was heartbroken to find out that the painting she thought was an authentic Gerald W Tooby, was in fact a copy. As expert Alexandra Gill explained, “If you look very, very closely, you can see it's pixelated, so you can see very, very small dots as the image is made up.”
