Antiques Roadshow makes first £1 million valuation

For the first time in the show's history, Antiques Roadshow experts have valued an item at £1 million. The 4ft-high statue, which is a model of Antony Gormley's famous British sculpture Angel of the North, made TV history when the valuation was broadcast yesterday.

The sculpture, owned by Gateshead council, was originally obtained when it was used to persuade councillors to commission the 66 foot Angel of the North statue over a decade ago. The steel sculpture was built just off the A1 on the outskirts of Gateshead in 1998.

Art dealer Philip Mould valued the bronze sculpture, saying: "It's easier to value than a lot of things of this stature, of this iconic resonance, because another version did sell very recently. Admittedly it was taller and it wasn't of bronze and that made about two million pounds or rather a little bit over that." The councillor who brought the sculpture to the show remained speechless as Mould continued: "So I think on the basis that this is half the size, I would comfortably value it at £1 million."

According to The Daily Telegraph the councillor later admitted that Gateshead Council would "never consider selling the model."

Previously, the Antique Roadshow's most valuable find was a collection of silver pieces valued last year at £300,000--under a third the valuation of the Gateshead model.