Theo Fennell

Mar 17, 2023

| Updated: 08:47, 17 March 2023 | An Antiques Roadshow guest discovered a dented Silver Clef trophy, that was once owned by Robbie Williams, has increased significantly in value because of the origin behind the damage. The music-loving guest presented the award to an expert at the 18th century Belmont House in Faversham after originally purchasing it for £200. The guest originally purchased the trophy for £200. Picture: Antiques Roadshow / BBC Studios Take That were awarded five Silver Clef trophies in 1995 for their outstanding contribution to music. Not long after this, Robbie departed the band after one of the great pop feuds of the 20th century. Specialist on the show Mark Hill quickly discovered the trophy had been crafted by luxury jewellery and silverware designer Theo Fennell. Mr Hill recognised the trophy would have cost the committee significantly more than the £200 paid by its current owner, who has not been named by the BBC, but quickly pointed out the damage. "To commission a piece like this from Theo Fennell would have cost an absolute fortune," he said. The dent in the trophy significantly increased the value. Picture: Antiques Roadshow / BBC Studios The band were awarded with five Silver Clef trophies in 1995. Picture: Antiques Roadshow / BBC Studios "But I've got to ask, there's a massive great dent in here staring up at me and you don't really want that in a piece of silver, do you? Especially a piece by Theo Fennell." But the owner explained the origin of the damage and the fascinating back story behind it. "I was told there was an argument one evening with the group," he said. "In the end Gary Barlow said something to Robbie Williams, so Robbie threw the trophy at him and it got a couple of dents!" The claim provoked a shocked reaction from the crowd and Mr Hill told the guest the item would now be more valuable than he first thought. Robbie Williams left the group shortly after. Picture: Antiques Roadshow / BBC Studios Robbie Williams was presented the trophy alongside Take That bandmates Picture: PA "Today the value for that is £300 to £400... but for me it's all about this," he said, nodding to the dent. "For me this is material evidence of one of the great feuds from one of the great bands of the 20th century," he added. Mr Hill announced the new value for the item would be between £1,500 and £2,000. But the significant price increase did not sway the guest who decided to keep the piece for his collection. The landscape was valued by experts at an eye-watering £30,000. The owner hid his face behind the painting in shock when the programme’s art expert made the valuation. The painting in question showed an English countryside scene and was sold by Hockney to a railway signalman near Felixstowe in 1957.