ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

'Antiques Roadshow' audience gasps after expert revealed the value of an elderly couple's 1750 robe

"It's a lady's robe. A robe from 1750 is a very rare robe. The only other ones I know of this type, you'd have to go to Beijing," the appraiser said.
PUBLISHED JUL 6, 2025
Appraiser Lee Young and guests on 'BBC Antiques Roadshow' 2025. (Cover Image Source: YouTube| BBC Antiques Roadshow)
Appraiser Lee Young and guests on 'BBC Antiques Roadshow' 2025. (Cover Image Source: YouTube| BBC Antiques Roadshow)

During the Qing dynasty's rule in ancient China, the colours and embellishments on a robe were indications of a person's rank in society, but on "Antiques Roadshow," experts determine the value of these garments by who owned them. When a 275-year-old yellow dragon robe landed up on the show for valuation, its owners were astonished to know its history and legacy. "The colour is important, and a bright yellow would be for the Empress or the Dowager Empress or the sort of first-ranking concubine," appraiser Lee Young explained while admiring the attire.



 

"It's a lady's robe. A robe of 1750 is a very rare robe indeed. I mean, there are a few survivors. The only other ones I know of this type, you'd have to go to Beijing and you'd have to go to the Palace Museum to see one of these," he added. The guest's grandpa, who was a General Manager of Standard Bank in Calcutta, India, in the 1930s, brought the imperial robe to the UK as a gift, the couple previously disclosed. "It was in the dressing-up box," Sarah revealed when asked how the attire had been maintained all these years. "So did you wear it as a child?" the appraiser prodded. "Yes! Oh, yes," the woman affirmed. "So, look, 1750; It certainly would be imperial," Young said analyzing the timeline. 



 

Although the appraiser noted that the yellow had a faint hint of green, the clothing was unquestionably from the royal era. Young clarified that the traditional dragon insignia on the garment confirmed that it was a piece of history when the couple asked about its origins. "How do we know that? Well, we've got this lovely sort of gilded five-clawed dragon here. We've got these dragons chasing these wonderful kinds of flaming pearls and these sorts of flame scrolls, and the crashing waves at the bottom," the appraiser said. "And if I just pull that back, you've just got this wonderful, rich, red brocade inside there. I mean, it's just... It's just a fabulous thing. I just keep coming back to the condition. It is extraordinary," Young remarked.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by The Fashionable Exhibit (@thefashionableexhibit)


 

However, the couple was informed that the value of the rare attire would differ because it had a copper wire that oxidized over the dragon symbol. Young also suspected that the robe had been shortened in length at some point. "I think it's probably a little shorter than it should be because I can see part of the, you know, the fringe here that actually, maybe, has just been sort of turned up as well." Despite the slight shortcomings, Young valued the rare imperial lady's robe at $273,000. The exorbitant price left the audience, who had gathered to watch the appraisal, stunned and in awe. "And I wouldn't be surprised if it made a bit more," Young added. "My goodness me. Thank you very much. Well, we won't put it in the dressing-up box again," Sarah said after being speechless for a while. 

More on Market Realist:

'Antiques Roadshow' guest stunned by incredible 5-figure appraisal for dogs carved out of wood

'Antiques Roadshow' guest gets huge appraisal for a wooden toy he bought for $6 at charity store

'Antiques Roadshow' guest gets a $180,000 valuation for her item — then she says 'not that I'd sell it'

RELATED TOPICS ANTIQUES ROADSHOW
MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The card had a manufactuting defect but that is what made it so valuable.
16 hours ago
He didn't believe he'd make any money on them and offered a ridiculously low price.
18 hours ago
The contestant still managed to be in the lead after quickly learning from her mistake.
19 hours ago
The guest was surprised to learn that it was by one of the top artist's of the time.
20 hours ago
Despite the loss, the player called making it to the show a dream come true for her.
1 day ago
The host also poked fun at the contestant who answered for now knowing where the city was.
1 day ago
The guest ran a hard bargain, but the item was iconic enough to be worth that much money.
1 day ago
While the player, James, didn't get to play his dream game, he aced the one he got to play.
1 day ago
The best part was that a lot of those hilarious answers did appear on the board.
2 days ago
He got an expert to inspect the letter as it was too good to be true that it had landed in his shop.
2 days ago
The guest said that she often wore some of the jewels that were worth several thousands.
2 days ago
Mark Cuban described his business model as horrible, but still made an offer.
2 days ago
The expert had no idea whether the item was real without a test that could only be done in the US.
2 days ago
Harrison could have had a unique item in his store but his stubbornness cost him big time.
2 days ago
The shark had said that he was out earlier but came back in to swoop the deal away from the others.
3 days ago
The player was on a roll before she entered the bonus round and ran out of luck.
3 days ago
The item was gifted to the guest's grandfather by the Tsar of Russia towards the end of the empire.
3 days ago
Ozzy Osbourne recently passed away after delivering one of the most incredible farewell concerts.
3 days ago
It's rare to see contestants on the show refuse chances to win big, but the player was certain.
3 days ago
This contestant was on the verge of closing a multi-Shark deal when he thought he could use some extra support.
3 days ago