An Antiques Roadshow guest gasped when they learned the eye-watering value of silverware that was sensationally dubbed the ‘best to ever grace the show’.

The latest episode of the popular BBC programme aired on Sunday evening and visited Swanage Pier in Dorset.

It saw expert Duncan Campbell astounded by a tiny silver teapot brought in by a couple for valuation.

The miniature ornament gleamed in the sunshine as Duncan held it delicately in his hand.

‘This is the nicest teapot certainly I’ve ever seen on Antiques Roadshow, arguably I’ve ever seen. I absolutely adore it and I’m more than a little bit envious,’ he gushed. 

The guest explained he had acquired the teapot from his great aunt and uncle who collected things. He had taken it to a jewellers to get it valued 20 years ago, but was told to take it to an expert.

The latest episode of the popular BBC programme saw expert Duncan Campbell (pictured) astounded by a tiny silver teapot brought in by a couple for valuation

The miniature ornament (pictured) gleamed in the sunshine as Duncan held it delicately in his hand

The guest (pictured) explained he had acquired the teapot from his great aunt and uncle who collected things. He had taken it to a jewellers to get it valued 20 years ago but was told to take it to an expert

Expert Duncan was excited to see the teapot and said: ‘It’s now in the hands of somebody who’s eyes have been alight ever since you showed it to me. I think it’s absolutely gorgeous.’

He revealed it is called a ‘bullet teapot’ due to the shape and was made by Paul de Lamerie, ‘the most sought-after silver smith in English silver smithing’. 

‘What he didn’t make was funny little toys like this, so to find a Paul de Lamerie miniature is remarkably uncommon,’ Duncan explained. ‘It’s made in 1728 which makes it George II, just.’

He went on to reveal just how rare and valuable the teapot was and said: ‘If you had to go and replace that, you would struggle, but when you eventually did alight on one because there’s sure to be one out there somewhere, even if I haven’t seen it, it’s going to cost you at least £12,000.’

One of the guests said, ‘Wow’ and the man seemed taken aback by the eye-watering evaluation and agreed: ‘Wow, I will have to re-insure it .’

‘It’s absolutely beautiful, if there was one piece of silverware I could take home from all the roadshows I’ve ever done it would be this one but unfortunately…’ Duncan quipped before handing it back to the guest.

‘I knew it was special, but it’s nice to have it confirmed,’ the guest added.

It comes after another guest on Antiques Roadshow struggled to catch his breath after learning the life-changing value of his grandfather’s painting.

Expert Rupert Maas was presented with the art work on the BBC programme to evaluate at Belmont House in Faversham.

He revealed it is called a ‘bullet teapot’ due to the shape and was made by Paul de Lamerie, ‘the most sought-after silver smith in English silver smithing’

Rupert admitted that though the painting was signed by David Hockney, ‘this is not at all what I’m used to seeing by David Hockney’.

The guest explained how his grandfather, Wallace, had purchased the piece when he was working as a signalman. 

Rupert asked the guest how much he thought it was worth who estimated £10,000.

‘I think you might be right but I think it is closer to £20,000 to £30,000,’ Rupert revealed.

Antiques Roadshow is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.