Antiques Roadshow: 'Stonkingly good' antiques are harder to find, expert says

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41319205

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"Stonkingly good" treasures are becoming rarer on the Antiques Roadshow, a veteran of the programme has said.

Ceramics expert David Battie said the show had "been going for 40 years, sucking them in like a vacuum cleaner."

However, he added: "We're lucky in this country that we have more antiques per square foot than anywhere in the world, so I think we have a way to go yet."

Mr Battie has appeared on the show since its first episode in 1978.

In one of his most famous moments, Mr Battie informed a visitor that the bowl he was using to give water to his dog was made of Chinese jade and dated from 1750.

The programme, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, has turned up many unexpected finds over the years.

Speaking to the Radio Times, David Battie added that he hoped that the diminishing number of really unusual antiques on the show did not lead its producers to change its format.

He also revealed how a woman who owned a collection of Japanese ceramics named Mr Battie in her will so he could handle the collection's onward sale.

"I drove to her house to pack it away and I couldn't have got a single further plate into my car. It was jammed in everywhere," he said.

Another participant left him a porcelain coffee can and saucer from a full Regency service.

He described the gift as "one of my very favourite things".