1864 E & J Barnard Silver Centerpiece

Appraised on: July 10, 2010

Appraised in: Miami Beach, Florida

Appraised by: Paul Winicki

Category: Silver

Episode Info: Junk in the Trunk (#1519)

Originally Aired: November 7, 2011

IMAGE: 1 of 4  

Appraisal Video: (1:00)

GUEST: My great-grandma had it, and then it was handed down to my grandparents and to my parents and now I have it. My great-grandma wore hats and she was in fashion and I'd like to think I got her fashion sense a little bit. And the fact that this was hers... it's important to me.

APPRAISER: Do you know anything about the history of it?

GUEST: I don't. I weighed it before I came here and it weighs 15 pounds. My husband said, "Melt it down," so... (laughs)

APPRAISER: The piece was made in 1864 in London. It's monumental in size. It's an unbelievably exquisite centerpiece. It was made by Ian J. Bernard, which was a very fine silversmith in London during the 19th century. In today's market, because of the size, because of the unbelievable form, the fact that it's 140 years old, it would probably sell, in a retail setting, somewhere in the $15,000 to $20,000 range.

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: Congratulations.

GUEST: Do you have a check? (both laugh)