Dorset care home hosts ‘Antiques Roadshow’ style valuation day

A DORSET care home hosted an ‘Antiques Roadshow’ style valuation day with two potentially valuable items coming to light.

The event, at Colten Care’s Amberwood House in Ferndown, led to the discovery of an early 19th century Indian ivory chess set and also an 18th century bureau bookcase.

Valuer Charles Wallrock, of Lymington-based Wick Antiques, said the chess set was of “exceptional quality” while the bureau bookcase was the most “charming piece of 18th century furniture you could wish to see.”

He added: “This really has been an interesting day with these two items coming totally out of the blue.”

The bureau bookcase, described by owner Linda Thornton as “battered and bruised”, was used to store her nan’s buttons.

Although now missing the bookcase, Mr Wallrock said that in its original condition the item of furniture would be worth up to £5,000.

He has offered to restore the bureau bookcase, an offer which Mrs Thornton said she was likely to accept, creating a new family heirloom.

The valuation day, together with an accompanying craft market, formed part of a public open day at Amberwood House.

Maggie Tomlin, Home Manager, said: “The event was a great success, opening up our home to the local community and letting them see for themselves what residents do here.”