Home / Arts and Entertainment / Liverpool Shoebox Holds Priceless Royal Secret
Liverpool Shoebox Holds Priceless Royal Secret
17 Jul
Summary
- An enamel flower, possibly royal, was found in a Liverpool shoebox.
- The piece is potentially a genuine Fabergé creation worth over £250,000.
- A BBC show investigates its royal Romanian connection and authenticity.
A delicate enamel flower, initially thought to be a mere keepsake, has emerged from a shoebox in Liverpool, potentially holding significant royal value. This piece, a recreation of the Martagon lily, features an intricate design with a gold stem and crystal vase.
Family history links the flower to Helen, the Queen Mother of Romania, a known collector of Fabergé. It passed down through generations, with one auction house previously valuing it in the hundreds of thousands. However, its authenticity remains under scrutiny.
The BBC's 'Fake or Fortune' program is currently investigating the flower's provenance. Experts are delving into Russian archives and consulting with specialists connected to European royal families. If deemed genuine, the flower could fetch over a quarter of a million pounds.
Fabergé, founded in 1842, was renowned for its Imperial Easter eggs and intricate jewelry, often gifted among European royalty. Today, authenticating such pieces relies on independent specialists, as convincing fakes have circulated historically. The outcome for this particular piece is yet to be determined.
