SHOCKING REVELATION: Grandma’s Chairs Almost Thrown Out, Worth Thousands!
In a jaw-dropping twist on Antiques Roadshow, a guest was left stunned after discovering the true value of his grandmother’s chairs. The unsuspecting owner had nearly tossed them aside, unaware of their hidden treasure.
Expert Jad Attal was taken aback when presented with the two chairs on the popular PBS daytime series. The guest had inherited these pieces of furniture and was curious to uncover their worth. Little did he know, his fiancé’s intervention would save the day.
Believing the chairs to be from the 1960s, the owner shared, “My grandma gave them to me when she was getting older and moving into an assisted living home. They wouldn’t fit in my car, it’s a small coupe, and I was trying to throw them away, and my fiancé luckily said: ‘I’ll take them apart and put them in my car.'”
Saved from the brink of disposal, the chairs found a new home in the owner’s studio. Astonishingly, his grandmother had only paid $5 for them. But the true surprise was yet to come.
Attal inquired about the time period the chairs belonged to, and the guest guessed the 1960s. However, the expert revealed that these Charles and Ray Eames chairs were actually from 1949, much earlier than anticipated.
Explaining their significance, Attal shared, “They’re a little earlier than you think, they’re 1949. So the design came about in 1947. It was a MoMA design competition. It was about good quality, modern design and low expense, so cheap furniture for the masses but great quality. What makes these chairs special is that they really are from 1949. Really the earliest iteration of this chair.”
The guest, who had grown up with these chairs in his grandmother’s house, was left astounded by their true age and value. It’s a heartwarming reminder that sometimes, treasures can be found in the most unexpected places.
Antiques Roadshow Expert Discovers Valuable Chairs Worth Thousands
In a recent episode of Antiques Roadshow, expert Attal made an incredible discovery when he came across a pair of chairs that turned out to be worth a small fortune. Attal immediately recognized that these chairs were an early edition of a sought-after make, thanks to various clues. The label on the chairs indicated a collaboration between Herman Miller and Zenith Plastics back in 1949, and the presence of pucks, also known as shock mounts, on the bottom of the chairs confirmed their authenticity.
What really caught Attal’s attention was the unique color of the chairs. Holding up a flashlight, he demonstrated how translucent the chairs were, a feature that was later changed in later generations. Attal explained, “This color was called parchment, and it’s quite rare to find chairs in this shade.” The chairs’ rarity and distinct features significantly added to their value.
Despite being in “great shape,” Attal did notice a crack in one of the chairs. While this flaw could affect how collectors perceive the chair, Attal reassured the owner that it didn’t diminish their worth. In fact, he estimated that the chairs could fetch anywhere between $500 and $1,000 on the auction market. Attal added, “Had they been in perfect shape, the auction value would have been about $2,000. But even with the crack, you’re looking at a value of around $1,500 for the pair.”
The owner of the chairs couldn’t believe their luck and exclaimed, “Not bad for five bucks!” It just goes to show that hidden treasures can be found in the most unexpected places. Antiques Roadshow continues to surprise viewers with valuable discoveries, making it a must-watch for antique enthusiasts. Don’t miss out on the excitement – catch Antiques Roadshow on PBS today!
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