BBC Antiques Roadshow guest's jaw drops at staggering price of mysterious wooden item

An guest couldn't help but laugh when he was told the true purpose of an 18th Century wooden stick.

The popular BBC series, filmed at RAF Coningsby, saw the guest present Baddeley with a "carved piece of wood [with] nothing very special about it."

The owner admitted: "That's what I've brought it for actually, I haven't got a clue."

Audience members guessed it could be a speaking stick, something ceremonial, a ruler or a shoe horn.

Baddeley noted: "It's chip carved, you can see how it's carved like this, so the quality isn't of huge merit, I have to say."

He suggested it was "folk art" made by someone in their spare time.

When Baddeley asked what is closest to a woman's heart, the guest humorously replied: "Money usually", before the expert revealed it was actually used for underwear.

"So this is what is called a stay busk. In the 18th Century, your stay was your corset, so this would have fitted down - I'm not wearing a corset today - it would have fitted down in a pocket at the front of your corset [and] went down like that.

"It meant you had to stand up very straight, it meant you had to keep your stomach in and it meant it lifted your breasts which was very important.

"So it was given to you by your lover."

The guest laughed at the idea with the expert himself beaming as he talked about the matter.

He continued: "So if you wanted to give your lover something closest to our heart, you would have carved this piece of wood in 1775 and 'AS' was probably the initials of his wife or his girlfriend.

"She would have worn it and every time she put it in, she'd remember her husband or lover. It's a love token."

When asked if he liked it more now, the owner commented with a smile: "I mean, I've heard many things on what it's been but that's the best one yet I think and obviously you're right."

Baddeley stated: "And what I personally like about it is it's been used, because obviously it's been touched a lot", before going on to discuss its price.

"I love it, I think it's a great piece. Value, dated 1775, English, chip-carved, a love token, lots of story behind it, at auction, £800 to £1,200."

The guest's mouth automatically gaped open, before putting his face in his hands and shaking his head.

He exclaimed: "I thought £10 [at] the most. I don't believe it!"

In a light-hearted moment, Baddeley cheekily suggested: "I think it's something to give to your wife", as the guest sauntered over to his spouse, busk in hand, to surprise her with the piece.

Before departing, the grateful owner circled back to shake hands with Baddeley, expressing his appreciation for the unexpected valuation.

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.