Quest for hidden gems (From Gazette & Herald)

Quest for hidden gems

THE search is on to unearth hidden gems in Ryedale - antiques that could make their owners a mint.

Antiques specialists from Bonhams, of Market Place, Bedale, will advise and give free saleroom valuations on antiques brought to The Talbot Arms Hotel, Malton, from 10.30am to 2pm, on Thursday.

Jewellery and silver specialist Simon Mitchell, from the north-east saleroom in Leeds, will look at Ryedale residents' jewels, while Peter Horner, director of Bonhams musical instruments department in Bond Street, London, will examine stringed instruments.

"There are lots of hidden gems in Ryedale," said Henrietta Graham, who will be on hand to give valuations on antiques not covered by her two colleagues.

"I think people often find things when looking through their drawers and can't decide whether to discard them or sell them. There are a number of items that weren't valuable ten years ago, but, as fashions change, they become collectable and saleable. Royal Worcester china is particularly popular now, on the other hand silver teapots have gone right out of fashion."

Antique instrument owners should check them for unusual labels, advised Mrs Graham, because they could be old and valuable. If the label read Stradivarius the piece was probably a fake, she warned.

At a similar valuation day in Malton a local brought a violoncello in to be valued by Mr Horner, who recognised it as an instrument by S.A. Forster and dated it to 1818. It was sold at auction for £20,000.

A silver vinaigrette depicting York Minster engraved by Edward Smith, Birmingham 1843, was valued at between £350 and £400.

For more information about the valuation day phone the Bonhams office at Bedale on 01677 424114.

Updated: 12:06 Wednesday, October 08, 2003