Ep 16. Hull

Antiques Roadshow UK is back with the much-awaited season 20, and in episode 16, the team heads to Hull - a city with a rich maritime history and a vibrant cultural scene. The show opens with Fiona Bruce, the host, giving a brief history of the city. She mentions that Hull was once a thriving port, home to whaling, fishing, and shipping industries. Today, it is known for its museums, art galleries, and historic buildings.

As the show progresses, we get introduced to some of the most exciting and valuable antiques brought in by the people of Hull. The first item we see is a beautiful oil painting of a sailing ship. The owner tells us that the painting belonged to their grandfather, who was a sailor in the early 1900s. The expert appraiser on the show identifies the painting as a work by a famous English painter of marine and coastal scenes. The value of the painting is quite high, and the owner is delighted to know that they have a precious heirloom.

The next segment of the show features a collection of porcelain figurines from the 18th and 19th centuries. The owner mentions that they inherited the collection from their grandmother, who was a passionate collector of porcelain. The expert appraiser is impressed by the quality of the pieces and points out that many of them are from the famous Meissen factory in Germany. The value of the collection is quite high, and the owner is happy to learn that they have inherited something of great value.

Later in the show, we see a man who has brought a set of antique silverware to be appraised. The silverware belonged to his great-great-grandfather, who was a wealthy merchant in the 1800s. The expert appraiser admires the craftsmanship of the pieces which are marked with the maker's name and a date. The set includes spoons, forks, and knives, all made of solid silver. The value of the silverware is quite high, and the owner is thrilled to find out that he has a valuable family heirloom.

The show also features a rare hatpin collection from the early 1900s. The owner tells us that their grandmother was an avid collector and had amassed a vast collection of hatpins, some of which were quite unique and ornate. The expert appraiser is impressed by the collection and points out some of the rarest pieces which are worth a considerable amount of money. The owner is delighted to learn that their grandmother's hobby was more than just a pastime and has resulted in a valuable collection.

One of the most exciting items brought to the show is a set of armor worn by an ancestor during the English Civil War in the 1600s. The armor is made of steel and is beautifully crafted, with intricate details. The expert appraiser tells us that the armor is quite rare and could be worth a considerable amount of money. The owner is proud to have inherited a piece of family history and a valuable antique.

The episode concludes with Fiona Bruce summarizing the most valuable finds of the day. She expresses her delight at seeing so many rare and fascinating antiques from Hull. The show is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the city and reminds us of the beauty and value of preserving our family heirlooms and the stories that go with them.