Ep 15. Santa Clara - Hour 3

In this episode of Antiques Roadshow, the team travels to Santa Clara, California, for the third hour of appraisals. As always, hosts and experts guide visitors through the process of evaluating their precious family heirlooms and antiques. With each item, the excitement and anticipation build as the owners hear what their treasures might be worth in today's market.

The first item up is a set of porcelain soup tureens discovered by the owner's mother in a thrift store. The expert appraiser suggests that the pattern was made by a famous 19th-century porcelain factory and values the set at a high price. The owner is stunned and elated to learn that something she had thought was of little value is a rare treasure.

Next, a stunning oil painting of a mountain landscape catches the eye of one appraiser. As the painting is removed from its frame, the expert notices that something is amiss. After a closer look, it is discovered that the painting is a meticulously made replica. The owner is initially disappointed, but the appraiser nonetheless places the painting's value on its impressive level of skill and detail.

In another part of the room, an expert examines a series of carved wooden figurines brought in by two sisters. The figurines, the sisters reveal, were made by their grandfather, who was a skilled woodworker. The expert is moved by the sentimentality behind the pieces and appraises them for their emotional value, rather than their actual monetary worth.

As the appraisal day winds down, one last visitor arrives with a surprising item: a set of original life-size Darth Vader armor and weapons used in the Star Wars movies. The appraiser is taken aback by the rarity of the items and carefully inspects each piece. The owner is thrilled to learn that the set is incredibly valuable and deeply connected to the iconic nostalgia of a beloved film.

Overall, the third hour of Antiques Roadshow's visit to Santa Clara is filled with heartwarming stories, unique artifacts, and surprising discoveries. The experts offer their valuable insights and expertise, illuminating the histories and worth behind each of the items presented. Visitors leave the event with a newfound admiration and respect for the originality and craftsmanship present in the items that have been passed down through generations.