My cousin re-gifted a turkey brooch to me – Antiques Roadshow expert valued at $4k thanks to material
After receiving a turkey brooch as a regift, a woman was taken aback by the appraisal.
Suspecting that the unusual object was unique, she brought it to Antiques Roadshow for evaluation.
During a recent episode of the popular PBS series, the owner told appraiser Lourdes Winnick, “It came into our family through a wealthy couple,”
According to legend, the rich Jennings couple came across a surprisingly docile wild turkey while residing on a property outside of Tampa, Florida.
It would appear in their backyard and appear unfazed by either them or the other animals.
“Napoleon” was the name Mrs. Jennings gave the turkey because of its effortless grace.
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Napoleon vanished after a while, the owner of the brooch claimed.
Mrs. Jennings became heartbroken after the couple feared a bobcat had gotten to it, so Mr. Jennings ordered a turkey brooch from New York City for her to wear in honor of the deceased bird.
PASSED ON
The brooch was given to Carolyn, the owner’s cousin, years later.
Carolyn re-gifted it to the woman and current owner one year despite her suspicions that it was gold since she “wears more jewelry.”
The woman expressed skepticism about its gold status, describing it as “more like heavy pot metal.”
Winnick promptly clarified that the enameled turkey brooch added to the weight, so the weighty sensation wasn’t shocking.
I saved signed item as honorary bat boy for the Yankees – I was stunned when Antiques Roadshow said it’s now worth $35k
“It’s actually a vitreous enamel – it’s very elaborate and very lifelike, and it’s very difficult to get the colors the way they are,” the appraiser said, praising the brooch.
Additionally, some of the enameling was done solely to maintain the brooch’s three-dimensional appearance over time.
They could confirm that the item was manufactured in the 1940s or 1950s, she continued, but there were no identifying markings as to who made it.
Additionally, Winnick confirmed that the turkey brooch was indeed composed of 18-karat gold.
Antiques Roadshow best finds
Since 1979, Antiques Roadshow has assisted people in assigning a value to their valuables. These are a few of the more intriguing discoveries.
- A hand-me-down ring that had been in the family for generations was valued at $595,000
- A silver coin found on a farm is worth $30,000
- A Rolex that cost just $120 is now worth $45,000
- The portrait of a woman’s mother at four years old and its frame was worth $32,000
- A book of hymns that was kept in a basement was worth $50,000
- A rare sculpture bought at a flea market in 1961 was worth $100,000
- An antique floor lamp from an estate sale was worth $15,000
- A mobile from the 1940s was worth a whopping $2 million
- A tablecloth drawn on by a baseball legend was worth $1,500
- A Picasso plate that hung above an oven was worth $15,000
WHAT’S IT WORTH?
The appraiser informed the owner that “he would have had to have made her this very costly gift.”
Taking everything into account, Winnick estimated the turkey brooch’s value to be between $3,000 and $4,000.
“No! “Really?” inquired the proprietor eagerly.
Carolyn, my cousin, could want it returned. That’s incredible!”
The woman should wear the brooch to her next Thanksgiving celebration, Winnick joked.
Antiques Roadshow would not be the first to inform the owners of objects they had considered ordinary and essentially worthless that they were worth thousands of dollars.
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When appraisers informed a woman that a glass bird she had purchased at an auction a few years prior was valued at $9,000 because of its designer, she broke down in tears.
A guy was also moved after a $80,000 artwork from their late husband that they had kept for decades was appraised at $20,000 by Antiques Roadshow.
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