
A DORSET care home hosted an ‘Antiques Roadshow’ style valuation day with two potentially valuable items coming to light.
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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.
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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.”
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He added: “This really has been an interesting day with these two items coming totally out of the blue.”
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The bureau bookcase, described by owner Linda Thornton as “battered and bruised”, was used to store her nan’s buttons.
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Although now missing the bookcase, Mr Wallrock said that in its original condition the item of furniture would be worth up to £5,000.
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He has offered to restore the bureau bookcase, an offer which Mrs Thornton said she was likely to accept, creating a new family heirloom.
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The valuation day, together with an accompanying craft market, formed part of a public open day at Amberwood House.
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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.”