Ep 15. Newport, Isle Of Wight
- February 22, 1998
- 55 min
The popular long-running British television series Antiques Roadshow is back with its twentieth season and the fifteenth episode is set in Newport, Isle Of Wight. The focus of this episode is on uncovering and evaluating some of the rarest antique items that locals have inherited or collected over the years.
As always, the show's team of expert antique specialists are on hand to provide their expertise and analysis on a wide range of antique items. This includes ceramics, furniture, jewelry, paintings, and much more. With the picturesque Isle of Wight serving as a backdrop, this episode offers viewers an opportunity to learn about some little-known historical facts and fascinating background stories about some of the rarest antique items that are brought to the show.
The episode starts off with the arrival of several antique enthusiasts who have brought their prized possessions over to the Antiques Roadshow team for appraisal. Each item is assessed by the team, who provide an in-depth analysis of its history and provenance. One particularly fascinating item is a 19th-century seaweed album, which is presented by an expert collector who has traveled from Northern Ireland to attend the show. Seaweed albums were a popular pastime during the Victorian era, and this particular album is unique in that it contains some of the rarest and most unusual specimens of seaweed ever recorded.
Another notable item in this episode is a rare set of early 19th-century Staffordshire pottery poodles, which are brought in by a local historian. With their intricate baroque design and intricate detailing, these poodles represent a significant piece of British ceramic history. As the show's team of antique specialists delve deeper into the history of these poodles, viewers are given a unique insight into the Victorian era and the fashionable trends of that time.
As the show progresses, we are introduced to several other intriguing items, including an unusual mechanical bird automaton; antique tribal jewelry; and an impressive 19th-century bamboo walking stick, which is elaborately carved and adorned with several ivory figurines. One of the most exciting moments of the episode comes towards the end when a group of locals bring in a rare collection of original letters written by Queen Victoria herself.
Throughout the episode, the Antiques Roadshow team offers unique insights into the historical and cultural significance of each of the items that are presented to them. As each item is carefully evaluated and assessed by the team, viewers are given a glimpse into the rich history and heritage of the Isle of Wight and the United Kingdom as a whole.
In conclusion, the twentieth season of Antiques Roadshow UK continues to delight viewers with its in-depth analysis of rare and unique antique items. With each new episode, viewers are treated to an extensive look into the rich history and cultural heritage of the United Kingdom, and this episode of the show, set in Newport, Isle Of Wight, is no exception. So, tune in to Antiques Roadshow season 20 episode 15 for a fascinating insight into the world of British antiques.